Researchers have achieved intracellular synthesis of macromolecules through light-guided processes. This method provides a new approach for studying cellular biology and medicine, with immense potential.

On March 21st, the team of researcher Jin Geng at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, published their latest research in the journal "Nature Protocols". They described how they achieved in-situ synthesis of macromolecules inside living cells through light-guided processes. This method provides a new pathway and new ideas for enhancing actin polymerization, regulating the intracellular microenvironment, bioimaging applications, and cancer treatment strategies. The researchers demonstrated how they introduced highly biocompatible monomers into living cells and initiated polymerization reactions using light activation, such as reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer or free radical polymerization. Light activation allows for precise spatial and temporal control of the polymerization process, and it has rapid reaction kinetics and good biocompatibility. Within just a few minutes (typically 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the wavelength), they were able to synthesize macromolecular polymers with different structures. This short reaction time is crucial for avoiding cellular stress and denaturation of cellular contents. The intracellularly synthesized macromolecular polymers have a wide range of potential applications. The increased viscosity of the cellular environment caused by the generation of intracellular macromolecular polymers can have profound effects on actin polymerization, cellular structure, cell cycle regulation, and cell migration behavior. By using specific monomers for in-situ polymerization, they can also be used as biosensors and bioimaging agents, achieving long-term tracking of cells, which is diffic...