Jorin Riexinger

Thomas Caganek Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU UK Search for more papers by this author

1 Introduction The patterning of cells is crucial in nature, where it is required for the stability of bacterial communities and their species diversity,[1] tissue development,[2] morphogenesis[3] and homeostasis,[4] cell functions (such as stress responses),[5] and the immune response.[6] Patterning is mediated by gene expression, which is tightly regulated by intercellular communication both in space and time, ensuring that cells precisely coordinate their roles within a group.

Abstract Nanoscale photoswitchable proteins could facilitate precise spatiotemporal control of transmembrane communication and support studies in synthetic biology, neuroscience and bioelectronics. Here, through covalent modification of the α-haemolysin protein pore with arylazopyrazole photoswitches, we produced ‘photopores’ that transition between iontronic resistor and diode modes in response to irradiation at orthogonal wavelengths.