Abstract: A method of regulating at least one cellular process in one or more cells by exposing the one or more cells to ultrasound, characterised in that the method comprises either (a) introducing into the one or more cells a construct comprising a regulatory transgene capable of regulating the at least one cellular process operably linked to a light-inducible control sequence and (b) inducing the expression of the regulatory transgene using sonoluminescence (SL) or sonochemiluminescence (SCL); or (i) contacting the one or more cells with one or more light-sensitive proteins capable of regulating the at least one cellular process and (ii) regulating the function of the one or more proteins using sonoluminescence or sonochemiluminescence.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of biotechnology. More specifically, the invention relates to chimeric fusion proteins comprising a light activated protein domain, e.g., a newly characterized light-oxygen-voltage-sensing (LOV) domain or a light sensing domain of the cyanobacterial phytochrome (PHY) CPH1, wherein the chimeric fusion protein is capable of dimerizing upon excitation with light of a suitable wavelength. Said fusion proteins further comprise the intracellular part of a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). The invention further relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding said chimeric fusion proteins; non-human transgenic animals expressing the chimeric fusion protein encoded by said nucleic acid molecules; as well as uses of said chimeric fusion proteins, e.g. in a screening method.