microinducers
Microinducers are stimuli designed to trigger biological responses within micro-scale environments, such as microfluidic chambers, single cells, or micro-tissue constructs. The term is not universally standardized and is used variably across disciplines; it often overlaps with concepts like inducible gene expression systems, optogenetic actuators, or localized signaling cues. In practice, microinducers can be chemical compounds, light-activated signals, electrical inputs, or mechanical cues chosen for compatibility with microfabricated systems and for enabling precise spatial and temporal control.
Mechanisms by which microinducers act include receptor-mediated signaling, transcriptional induction via inducible promoters, optogenetic or photochemical
Applications of microinducers span synthetic biology, microbiology, tissue engineering, and biosensing. They enable localized gene expression
Challenges include achieving precise diffusion gradients, preventing cross-talk between adjacent regions, ensuring biocompatibility and stability within