Dynamic Optical Systems Inspired by Cephalopods

Cephalopods (e.g., squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish) have captivated the imagination of both the<br/>general public and scientists alike due to their sophisticated nervous systems, complex behavioral patterns,<br/>and visually stunning coloration changes. By drawing inspiration from the structures and functionalities of<br/>tunable cephalopod skin cells, we have designed and engineered human cells that contain reconfigurable<br/>protein-based photonic architectures and, as a result, possess tunable transparency-changing and light<br/>scattering capabilities (1). In turn, we have visualized the refractive index distributions of analogous engineered<br/>cells with three-dimensional label-free holotomographic microscopy techniques, and as a consequence, we<br/>have developed a detailed understanding of the relationship between their global optical characteristics and<br/>subcellular ultrastructures (2). We have moreover extended these efforts to the predictive engineering of the<br/>refractive indices and light-scattering properties of multiple self-assembled protein-based platforms, both in<br/>vitro and in vivo (2,3). Finally, we have developed improved chemical and genetic strategies for manipulating<br/>the sizes, numbers, and refractive indices of our subcellular structures (4). Our combined findings may<br/>facilitate an improved understanding of cephalopod camouflage mechanisms and lead to the development of<br/>unique tools for applications in biophotonics and bioengineering.<br/><br/>Chatterjee A., et al., Nat Commun., 11, 2708 (2020).<br/>Chatterjee A., et al., ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng., 9, 978-990 (2023).<br/>Umerani M.J., et al., PNAS, 117, 32891-32901 (2020).<br/>Bogdanov G., et al., iScience, In Revision.