Development and Application of Single/Two Component Light-induced Systems in Synthetic Biology

Optogenetics, as a new interdisciplinary technology that integrates engineering idea, optical technology, and genetic principles, can respond to specific wavelengths of light to regulate biological processes. It has been widely applied in synthetic biology. Over the past two decades of research, optogenetic systems have been developed for different scenarios, which have unique advantages such as non-invasiveness, millisecond response speed, sub-micron spatial resolution, and multi-wavelength orthogonal regulation, providing a new solution for the precise regulation of gene expression. However, the requirements for optogenetic tools may vary greatly in different scenarios: some scenarios require light induction systems with the ability to support complex logic programming, while others require simpler genetic operations and a broader regulatory range. There are significant differences in the types of photoreceptors and system structures of the light-induced systems used in these two scenarios. Based on this, this article reviews the development history of optogenetics tools, their systematic classification into single and double components, their working principles, the latest progress, and their applications in synthetic biology. It explores the current challenges and possible future development directions of optogenetics, providing ideas for further accelerating its application in basic research and industrial practice.