Innovative Protein Responds to Magnetic Fields: A New Era in Bioengineering
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Chapter 1: Groundbreaking Discovery
Researchers have engineered a novel protein capable of reacting to magnetic fields! A dedicated team at Calico Life Sciences has unveiled a protein that can be influenced by magnetic forces, as detailed in their pre-print study titled “Magnetic control of the brightness of fluorescent proteins” (link at the end). This groundbreaking finding introduces a unique method for adjusting the brightness of GFP-like fluorescent proteins using modest magnetic fields around 10 mT. The newly designed protein is user-friendly, non-toxic, and biocompatible, functioning efficiently at both ambient and physiological temperatures. It has been successfully tested in vitro, within E. coli, and in cultured mammalian cells.
The researchers discovered that fluorescent proteins, which typically do not respond to magnetic fields, can exhibit magnetoresponsiveness when paired with the appropriate cofactor. For example, the common fluorescent proteins EGFP and mScarlet displayed magnetic responsiveness when used with specific cofactors like FlavinTag for EGFP and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) for mScarlet. This breakthrough opens doors to exciting technological advancements, including lock-in detection, multiplexing, optically-detected MRI, and the evolution of magnetogenetics.
Section 1.1: The Evolutionary Approach
The journey began when the team observed a subtle magnetoresponse in a member of the LOV-domain protein family. Utilizing laboratory techniques that simulate evolutionary processes on accelerated timelines, they engaged in artificial selection to create new protein variants with enhanced magnetic responsiveness. Starting from the AsLOV2 protein, they employed a method known as “directed evolution,” leading to the development of a new protein dubbed “MagLOV.” This innovative protein exhibited a significant change in fluorescence intensity (?F/F ? 75%) when exposed to magnetic fields, making it a promising candidate for future magnetogenetic applications. Unlike traditional proteins, MagLOV functions independently without a separate cofactor, maintaining its strong magnetoresponse in both purified forms and mammalian cells.
Subsection 1.1.1: Potential Applications
This discovery is not just scientifically intriguing; it holds great promise for practical applications. In the near term, magnetically switchable fluorophores could facilitate advanced techniques like lock-in detection, allowing for precise signal differentiation from background noise. The researchers also postulate that if these proteins demonstrate magnetic resonance, it could lead to MRI-like functionalities at a microscopic level.
Section 1.2: A New Frontier in Magnetogenetics
This work could pave the way for a new frontier in understanding protein interactions with magnetic fields, potentially leading to the engineering of additional fluorescent proteins with magnetoresponsive capabilities. Such advancements could revolutionize the field of magnetogenetics, expanding its uses from simple model organisms to more complex mammals, including humans. This research signifies a crucial step toward a new era of bioengineering where magnetic fields can be harnessed to control biological processes with unparalleled precision.
To witness the magnetoresponsive protein in action and gain further insights, check out the preprint outlining this research and a tweet from one of its developers:
The first video illustrates the remarkable behavior of magnetically responsive proteins, showcasing their potential applications in biotechnology.
The second video delves into how migratory birds utilize the Earth's magnetic field for navigation, providing insights into natural magnetoreception.