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Biomedical Engineering Faculty Candidate Seminar

Eric Petersen, PhD

Central Michigan University

Abstract

This seminar will cover two areas of ongoing research in Dr. Petersen’s lab that are focused on developing bioluminescence based sensors and using the light produced by these sensors to activate light sensitive optogenetic proteins. The first area of research is developing genetically encoded sensors for various neurotransmitters. These sensors can be expressed in specific types of neurons and report changes in activity levels of the specific neurotransmitter like glutamate or GABA. We not only can use these sensors to report changes in neuronal activity but can use them to activate light sensitive proteins like optogenetic ion channels for activity dependent control of neuronal activity. The second area of research is developing a similar type of sensor that responds to specific cell signaling events via phosphorylation activity of specific kinases. We are developing versions that respond to growth factor signaling, inflammation signaling, insulin receptor activation and cell cycle progression. We are also using these light emitting sensors to control optogenetic transcription factors for cell signaling dependent protein expression. For example expression of a cell cycle arrest protein in response to growth factor signaling. In this case reversing the action of the growth factor signaling network. Our long term goals are to optimize these tools for broad use by researchers for basic science and neuroscience applications and for biomedical applications.