The one and only Alex has lead a project towards the rational design of engineered receptors called OptoXRs (light-activated G protein-coupled receptors); believe it or not, rational design for the first time through structure-guided optimisation.

By incorporating specific GPCR-Gα contacts we achieved significant enhancement in signaling and demonstrated the potential for targeted cell and network manipulation using these optimized receptors.

The paper published in Cell Structure can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.str.2022.04.012

Congratulations to everyone involved: Alex, Elliot and Wang Lok!