Stanford Unveils Synthetic GPCRs for Programmable Cell Sensing in Nature Biotechnology

Dec 5, 2024, 12:34 PM

A groundbreaking study from Stanford University introduces synthetic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) designed to sense diverse antigens and trigger a range of intracellular responses. These programmable antigen-gated GPCRs (PAGERs), developed by Alice Y. Ting's lab at Stanford, represent a new frontier in programmable sensing and control of cell behavior, potentially revolutionizing immunotherapy and targeted drug delivery. The technology aims to detect both soluble and cell-attached antigens, converting recognition into intracellular responses like transgene expression and real-time monitoring of cellular processes. This innovation, highlighted in Nature Biotechnology, could lead to the development of programmable expression logic gates, offering new tools for prevention-focused healthcare and enhancing the precision of treatments for various diseases.