Summary

We, the iGEM Team Freiburg 2014, managed to combine the capability of viral vectors for stable gene transfer with the spatial resolution of optogenetics for gene delivery into mammalian cells in a spacio-temporal manner. We generated patterns by illuminating discret areas in a mammalian cell culture with light of a special wave lenght and infected target cells with the viral vector containing the gene of interest, afterwards. Stable integrated our gene cells were expressing a fluorescence protein visible via microscopy. On the same principle cells were infected with a viral vector containing a gene for SEAP. Resulting in colour changing of the medium we generated QR codes on multiple well plates.

Our system is based on three parts: The viral vector, which can deliver our genes of interest into mammalian cells and stably integrate them into their genomes; the receptor, which functions as an entry site for the vector and makes gene transfer specific; and the light system, which combines both parts by inducing the receptor expression only in distinct areas of a tissue leading to pattern formation.