Fiat Lux: illuminating the cell cycle

Fiat lux

Just as engineers learnt to harness the power of electrons in transistors and microchips—which revolutionized modern society—physicists and biologists are now learning how to tame photons. Their work is generating exciting new possibilities for optical microscopy, with a resolution and level of detail hitherto undreamt of. Biophotonics is a new and exciting research field that is already delive...

Fiat Lux: A Fluorescent Lamp Tkansceiver

The prevalence of electric discharge illumination has led us to consider ways to use discharge lamps for communication. This paper describes an optical transceiver system which transmits by modulating the lamp arc. The prototype power electronic lamp ballast uses a pulse frequency modulation scheme which ensures no perceptible flicker.

Fiat Lux in Understanding Cardiac Pacing, Resynchronization and Signaling by Way of Optogenetics

Fiat lux in understanding cardiac pacing, resynchronization and signalling by way of optogenetics.

Multiple cell types and complex signalling cascades control the generation and regularity of the heartbeat. Understanding their concerted operation in vivo is a challenge that necessitates new technical tools. Optogenetics uses genetically encoded light-sensitive proteins to both actuate and/or sense fast biological processes in cells, tissues, and in behaving animals. The use of light and ligh...

Illuminating human health through cell mechanics.

Cells reside in mechanically rich and dynamic microenvironments, and the complex interplay between mechanics and biology is widely acknowledged. Recent research has yielded insights linking the mechanobiology of cells, human physiology, and pathophysiology. In particular, we have learned of the cell's astounding ability to sense and respond to its mechanical microenvironment. This seemingly inn...