Significant funding for the development of a light-controlled tool for breast cancer treatment

Optogenetics is a field of research that uses light to control cellular processes.

“The optogenetic tools we are developing are based on the function of bacterial phytochromes, which sense red light. The tools enable induction of programmed cell death, apoptosis, of target cells with red light,” says Takala.

The project will also study the functionality of these apoptosis tools in breast cancer cell models and their applicability to cancer treatment.

“The tools developed in this project will offer an alternative to current invasive treatment methods for cancer as they can be controlled by applying red light through the patient’s skin,” Takala says. “The tools also have several potential applications in basic research, biotechnology and biomedicine.”

The tools will enable red light-induced apoptosis of cancer cells..

In its third application round of the year, announced in September, the foundation awarded a total of €15 million to 17 projects. The total amount applied for in this round was the largest in the foundation’s history. A new annual record was set in funding for medicine, as the total amount of grants rose to almost €20 million.