Dynamic Optical Systems Inspired by Cephalopods

Cephalopods (e.g., squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish) have captivated the imagination of both the general public and scientists alike due to their sophisticated nervous systems, complex behavioral patterns, and visually stunning coloration changes. By drawing inspiration from the structures and functionalities of tunable cephalopod skin cells, we have designed and engineered human cells that contain reconfigurable protein-based photonic architectures and, as a result, possess tunable transparency-changing and light scattering capabilities (1). In turn, we have visualized the refractive index distributions of analogous engineered cells with three-dimensional label-free holotomographic microscopy techniques, and as a consequence, we have developed a detailed understanding of the relationship between their global optical characteristics and subcellular ultrastructures (2). We have moreover extended these efforts to the predictive engineering of the refractive indices and light-scattering properties of multiple self-assembled protein-based platforms, both <i>in vitro </i>and <i>in vivo</i> (2,3). Finally, we have developed improved chemical and genetic strategies for manipulating the sizes, numbers, and refractive indices of our subcellular structures (4). Our combined findings may facilitate an improved understanding of cephalopod camouflage mechanisms and lead to the development of unique tools for applications in biophotonics and bioengineering.<br/><br/>Chatterjee A., et al., <i>Nat Commun.</i> <b>11</b>, 2708 (2020).<br/>Chatterjee A., et al., <i>In Revision.</i><br/>Umerani M.J., et al., <i>PNAS</i>, <b>117</b>, 32891-32901 (2020).<br/>Bogdanov G., et al.,<i>Submitted</i>.