Programming mammalian cell behaviors by physical cues.
                            
                                blue
                            
                                cyan
                            
                                green
                            
                                near-infrared
                            
                                red
                            
                                UV
                            
                                violet
                            
                            
                                BLUF domains
                            
                                Cobalamin-binding domains
                            
                                Cryptochromes
                            
                                Fluorescent proteins
                            
                                LOV domains
                            
                                Phytochromes
                            
                                UV receptors
                            
                            
                            
                            Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                        
                        
                        
                            Abstract:
                            In recent decades, the field of synthetic biology has witnessed remarkable progress, driving advances in both research and practical applications. One pivotal area of development involves the design of transgene switches capable of precisely regulating specified outputs and controlling cell behaviors in response to physical cues, which encompass light, magnetic fields, temperature, mechanical forces, ultrasound, and electricity. In this review, we delve into the cutting-edge progress made in the field of physically controlled protein expression in engineered mammalian cells, exploring the diverse genetic tools and synthetic strategies available for engineering targeting cells to sense these physical cues and generate the desired outputs accordingly. We discuss the precision and efficiency limitations inherent in these tools, while also highlighting their immense potential for therapeutic applications.