A Fusion of Optical Microscopy and Functional Nanomaterials for Subcellular-Scale Thermodynamic Control of Muscle Contraction

This paper challenges the traditional view of heat as a mere byproduct of muscle activity. We demonstrate that heat can directly induce muscle contraction, even in the absence of calcium signaling. We introduce novel techniques based on light, fluorescent molecules, and nanoparticles, for precise heat manipulation at the microscopic scale, enabling the localized control of muscle function. These findings have implications for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, exploring new strategies for therapeutic interventions and advanced biomaterials.