{
  "id": 10501178,
  "title": "Blue-light tools let researchers track, redirect and sever cells' transport routes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/blue-light-tools-let-researchers-track-redirect-and-sever-cells",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-28T18:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-blue-tools-track-redirect-sever.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Research from the Texas A&M Health Institute of Biosciences and Technology has led to the development of a groundbreaking tool that harnesses light to manipulate proteins and microtubules within cells. Led by Yubin Zhou and Yun Huang, this research could revolutionize the study of complex diseases such as cancer and dementia. Microtubules, tiny structures within cells, form microscopic highways that carry cargo and coordinate cellular functions. Disruptions in these transport routes can lead to serious health consequences. Traditional methods for studying microtubules have been limited and often cause damage to the cells being observed. This new blue-light activated tool allows researchers to visualize cargo along microtubule paths, monitor the construction of microtubules in real time, redirect cargo movement, and even cut microtubules with precision. The tool uses CRY2, a light-sensitive protein, which when exposed to blue light, activates four different tools: OptoMT, OptoTIP, OptoMotor, and OptoSAW. These tools provide unprecedented control over microtubules without causing long-term harm to the cells. The team hopes to adapt these tools for gene therapy studies, potentially aiding in the treatment of diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer.",
  "summary": "Light is fundamental to human life—without it, we'd be hungry, cold and blind. But what if the same light that sustains us could also be used to control and observe parts of cells within our bodies?",
  "key_points": [
    "Texas A&M researchers develop blue-light tool for cell manipulation",
    "Tool visualizes cargo, monitors microtubule construction in real time",
    "Enables precise redirection and cutting of microtubules without cell damage"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}