Could one envision a synthetic receptor technology that is fully programmable, able to detect diverse extracellular antigens – both soluble and cell-attached – and convert that recognition into a wide range of intracellular responses, from transgene expression and real-time fluorescence to modulation of innate cell behavior (excitation or inhibition of neurons, induction of cell migration, etc.)? Today we report in Nature a new technology platform that provides a step in that direction: PAGERs, for Programmable Antigen-gated G protein-coupled Engineered Receptors, convert recognition of extracellular soluble or cell-attached antigens into diverse user-selected responses. PAGERs are based on G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which themselves are not structurally modular, but we were able to build in modular antigen gating by fusing an antagonist peptide to the extracellular N-terminal end, and then gating the antagonist with a fused antigen-binding nanobody.  When antigen binds, it sterically interferes with the antagonist, leading to relief of receptor inhibition. Drug or agonist can then turn on PAGER.

🌟 Cai Lab @Nature paper alert! In new work led by @mysteriousjoe_, we find that rest periods after learning not only stabilize new memories BUT ALSO integrate new memories with older ones from days past! (1/9) Read it here:

First @SfNtweets for the Hunsberger Lab! Go say hi and talk science with this awesome crew 👇🏻 #proudPI #RFU @Lainey10yes @KamKaplanRFUMS

Astrocyte physiologists 🔬 and modelers 👩🏼‍💻!! Check out my poster at B30 on Sunday afternoon, October 6th #sfn2024 #SfN24 While studying astrocyte integration, we found and quantified a threshold for astrocyte calcium surge ✴️🌟

Glad to share our work on infraslow oscillation of the dentate gyrus cells during NREM sleep @eLife

SUPER EXCITED to start #SfN24 w/ 2 outstanding neuroscientists from the #NestlerLab! Interested in #Opioid research? STOP BY & CHAT w/ Rita Futamura (PhD Student) & Brian Kipp (Postdoc)! Futamura👉 Kipp👉 #FBIatSfN @EricJNestler