A cross sectional pilot study utilising STrain Analysis and Mapping of the Plantar Surface (STAMPS) to measure plantar load characteristics within a healthy population.

BACKGROUND: No in-shoe systems, measuring both components of plantar load (plantar pressure and shear stress) are available for use in patients with diabetes. The STAMPS (STrain Analysis and Mapping of the Plantar Surface) system utilises digital image correlation (DIC) to determine the strain sustained by a deformable insole, providing a more complete understanding of plantar shear load at the foot-surface interface. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: What is the normal range and pattern of strain at the foot-surface interface within a healthy population as measured by the STAMPS system? Is STAMPS a valid tool to measure the effects of plantar load? METHODS: A cross-sectional study of healthy participants was undertaken. Healthy adults without foot pathology or diabetes were included. Participants walked 20 steps with the STAMPS insole in a standardised shoe. Participants also walked 10 m with the Novel Pedar® plantar pressure measurement insole within the standardised shoe. Both measurements were repeated three times. Outcomes of interest were global and regional values for peak resultant strain (SMAG) and peak plantar pressure (PPP). RESULTS: In 18 participants, median peak SMAG and PPP were 35.01 % and 410.6kPa respectively. The regions of the hallux and heel sustained the highest SMAG (29.31 % (IQR 24.56-31.39) and 20.50 % (IQR 15.59-24.12) respectively) and PPP (344.8kPa (IQR 268.3 - 452.5) and 279.3kPa (IQR 231.3-302.1) respectively). SMAG was moderately correlated with PPP (r= 0.65, p < 0.001). Peak SMAG was located at the hallux in 55.6 % of participants, at the 1st metatarsal head (MTH) in 16.7 %, the heel in 16.7 %, toes 3-5 in 11.1 % and the MTH2 in 5.6 %. SIGNIFICANCE: The results demonstrate the STAMPS system is a valid tool to measure plantar strain. Further studies are required to investigate the effects of elevated strain and the relationship with diabetic foot ulcer formation.

Histopathologic Features of Mucosal Head and Neck Cancer Cachexia.

Objective: Determine the histopathologic features that correlate with head and neck cancer (HNC) cachexia. Methods: A single-institution, retrospective study was performed on adults with HPV-negative, mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the aerodigestive tract undergoing resection and free flap reconstruction from 2014 to 2019. Patients with distant metastases were excluded. Demographics, comorbidities, preoperative nutrition, and surgical pathology reports were collected. Comparisons of histopathologic features and cachexia severity were made. Results: The study included 222 predominantly male (64.9%) patients aged 61.3 ± 11.8 years. Cachexia was identified in 57.2% patients, and 18.5% were severe (≥15% weight loss). No differences in demographics were identified between the groups. Compared to control, patients with severe cachexia had lower serum hemoglobin (p=0.048) and albumin (p < 0.001), larger tumor diameter (p < 0.001), greater depth of invasion (p < 0.001), and elevated proportions of pT4 disease (p < 0.001), pN2-N3 disease (p=0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.009), and extranodal extension (p=0.014). Multivariate logistic regression identified tumor size (OR [95% CI] = 1.36 [1.08-1.73]), oral cavity tumor (OR [95% CI] = 0.30 [0.11-0.84]), and nodal burden (OR [95% CI] = 1.16 [0.98-1.38]) as significant histopathologic contributors of cancer cachexia. Conclusions: Larger, more invasive tumors with nodal metastases and aggressive histologic features are associated with greater cachexia severity in mucosal HNC.

Rhythmic Temporal Cues Coordinate Cross-frequency Phase-amplitude Coupling during Memory Encoding.

Accumulating evidence suggests that rhythmic temporal cues in the environment influence the encoding of information into long-term memory. Here, we test the hypothesis that these mnemonic effects of rhythm reflect the coupling of high-frequency (gamma) oscillations to entrained lower-frequency oscillations synchronized to the beat of the rhythm. In Study 1, we first test this hypothesis in the context of global effects of rhythm on memory, when memory is superior for visual stimuli presented in rhythmic compared with arrhythmic patterns at encoding [Jones, A., & Ward, E. V. Rhythmic temporal structure at encoding enhances recognition memory, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 31, 1549-1562, 2019]. We found that rhythmic presentation of visual stimuli during encoding was associated with greater phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) between entrained low-frequency (delta) oscillations and higher-frequency (gamma) oscillations. In Study 2, we next investigated cross-frequency PAC in the context of local effects of rhythm on memory encoding, when memory is superior for visual stimuli presented in-synchrony compared with out-of-synchrony with a background auditory beat (Hickey et al., 2020). We found that the mnemonic effect of rhythm in this context was again associated with increased cross-frequency PAC between entrained low-frequency (delta) oscillations and higher-frequency (gamma) oscillations. Furthermore, the magnitude of gamma power modulations positively scaled with the subsequent memory benefit for in- versus out-of-synchrony stimuli. Together, these results suggest that the influence of rhythm on memory encoding may reflect the temporal coordination of higher-frequency gamma activity by entrained low-frequency oscillations.

Cell wall integrity modulates HOOKLESS1 and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR4 expression controlling apical hook formation.

Formation of the apical hook in etiolated dicot seedlings results from differential growth in the hypocotyl apex and is tightly controlled by environmental cues and hormones, among which auxin and gibberellins (GAs) play an important role. Cell expansion is tightly regulated by the cell wall, but whether and how feedback from this structure contributes to hook development is still unclear. Here, we show that etiolated seedlings of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) quasimodo2-1 (qua2) mutant, defective in pectin biosynthesis, display severe defects in apical hook formation and maintenance, accompanied by loss of asymmetric auxin maxima and of differential cell expansion. Moreover, qua2 seedlings show reduced expression of HOOKLESS 1 (HLS1) and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4), which are positive regulators of hook formation. Treatment of wild-type seedlings with the cellulose inhibitor isoxaben (isx) also prevents hook development and represses HLS1 and PIF4 expression. Exogenous GAs, loss of DELLA proteins or HLS1 overexpression partially restore hook development in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings. Interestingly, increased agar concentration in the medium restores, both in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings, hook formation, asymmetric auxin maxima and PIF4 and HLS1 expression. Analysis of plants expressing a FRET-based GA sensor indicate that isx reduces accumulation of GAs in the apical hook region in a turgor-dependent manner. Lack of the cell wall integrity sensor THESEUS 1, which modulates turgor loss point, restores hook formation in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings. We propose that turgor-dependent signals link changes in cell wall integrity to the PIF4-HLS1 signalling module to control differential cell elongation during hook formation.

GA dynamics governing nodulation revealed using GIBBERELLIN PERCEPTION SENSOR 2 in Medicago truncatula lateral organs.

During nutrient scarcity, plants can adapt their developmental strategy to maximize their chance of survival. Such plasticity in development is underpinned by hormonal regulation, which mediates the relationship between environmental cues and developmental outputs. In legumes, endosymbiosis with nitrogen fixing bacteria (rhizobia) is a key adaptation for supplying the plant with nitrogen in the form of ammonium. Rhizobia are housed in lateral root-derived organs termed nodules that maintain an environment conducive to Nitrogenase in these bacteria. Several phytohormones are important for regulating the formation of nodules, with both positive and negative roles proposed for gibberellin (GA). In this study, we determine the cellular location and function of bioactive GA during nodule organogenesis using a genetically-encoded second generation GA biosensor, GIBBERELLIN PERCEPTION SENSOR 2 in Medicago truncatula. We find endogenous bioactive GA accumulates locally at the site of nodule primordia, increasing dramatically in the cortical cell layers, persisting through cell divisions and maintaining accumulation in the mature nodule meristem. We show, through mis-expression of GA catabolic enzymes that suppress GA accumulation, that GA acts as a positive regulator of nodule growth and development. Furthermore, increasing or decreasing GA through perturbation of biosynthesis gene expression can increase or decrease the size of nodules, respectively. This is unique from lateral root formation, a developmental program that shares common organogenesis regulators. We link GA to a wider gene regulatory program by showing that nodule-identity genes induce and sustain GA accumulation necessary for proper nodule formation.

Isolation of the left innominate artery: When to operate?

A right aortic arch with an isolated left innominate artery from the pulmonary artery is an exceedingly rare congenital cardiac malformation. We describe the management and complex surgical timing considerations in two such cases, successfully operated on day 4 and 7 months of age, including the use of cranial ultrasound as a helpful tool to guide decision-making. We also describe the first reported association of this defect with a 4q25 deletion encompassing the LEF1 gene.

ARID1A suppresses R-loop-mediated STING-type I interferon pathway activation of anti-tumor immunity.

Clinical trials have identified ARID1A mutations as enriched among patients who respond favorably to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in several solid tumor types independent of microsatellite instability. We show that ARID1A loss in murine models is sufficient to induce anti-tumor immune phenotypes observed in ARID1A mutant human cancers, including increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and cytolytic activity. ARID1A-deficient cancers upregulated an interferon (IFN) gene expression signature, the ARID1A-IFN signature, associated with increased R-loops and cytosolic single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Overexpression of the R-loop resolving enzyme, RNASEH2B, or cytosolic DNase, TREX1, in ARID1A-deficient cells prevented cytosolic ssDNA accumulation and ARID1A-IFN gene upregulation. Further, the ARID1A-IFN signature and anti-tumor immunity were driven by STING-dependent type I IFN signaling, which was required for improved responsiveness of ARID1A mutant tumors to ICB treatment. These findings define a molecular mechanism underlying anti-tumor immunity in ARID1A mutant cancers.

A quantitative gibberellin signaling biosensor reveals a role for gibberellins in internode specification at the shoot apical meristem.

Growth at the shoot apical meristem (SAM) is essential for shoot architecture construction. The phytohormones gibberellins (GA) play a pivotal role in coordinating plant growth, but their role in the SAM remains mostly unknown. Here, we developed a ratiometric GA signaling biosensor by engineering one of the DELLA proteins, to suppress its master regulatory function in GA transcriptional responses while preserving its degradation upon GA sensing. We demonstrate that this degradation-based biosensor accurately reports on cellular changes in GA levels and perception during development. We used this biosensor to map GA signaling activity in the SAM. We show that high GA signaling is found primarily in cells located between organ primordia that are the precursors of internodes. By gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we further demonstrate that GAs regulate cell division plane orientation to establish the typical cellular organization of internodes, thus contributing to internode specification in the SAM.

Post-translational modification-centric base editor screens to assess phosphorylation site functionality in high throughput.

Signaling pathways that drive gene expression are typically depicted as having a dozen or so landmark phosphorylation and transcriptional events. In reality, thousands of dynamic post-translational modifications (PTMs) orchestrate nearly every cellular function, and we lack technologies to find causal links between these vast biochemical pathways and genetic circuits at scale. Here we describe the high-throughput, functional assessment of phosphorylation sites through the development of PTM-centric base editing coupled to phenotypic screens, directed by temporally resolved phosphoproteomics. Using T cell activation as a model, we observe hundreds of unstudied phosphorylation sites that modulate NFAT transcriptional activity. We identify the phosphorylation-mediated nuclear localization of PHLPP1, which promotes NFAT but inhibits NFκB activity. We also find that specific phosphosite mutants can alter gene expression in subtle yet distinct patterns, demonstrating the potential for fine-tuning transcriptional responses. Overall, base editor screening of PTM sites provides a powerful platform to dissect PTM function within signaling pathways.

Spider mite herbivory induces an abscisic acid-driven stomatal defense.

Arthropod herbivory poses a serious threat to crop yield, prompting plants to employ intricate defense mechanisms against pest feeding. The generalist pest two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) inflicts rapid damage and remains challenging due to its broad target range. In this study, we explored the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) response to T. urticae infestation, revealing the induction of abscisic acid (ABA), a hormone typically associated with abiotic stress adaptation, and stomatal closure during water stress. Leveraging a FRET-based ABA biosensor (nlsABACUS2-400n), we observed elevated ABA levels in various leaf cell types post-mite feeding. While ABA's role in pest resistance or susceptibility has been debated, an ABA-deficient mutant exhibited increased mite infestation alongside intact canonical biotic stress signaling, indicating an independent function of ABA in mite defense. We established that ABA-triggered stomatal closure effectively hinders mite feeding and minimizes leaf cell damage through genetic and pharmacological interventions targeting ABA levels, ABA signaling, stomatal aperture, and density. This study underscores the critical interplay between biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, highlighting how the vulnerability to mite infestation arising from open stomata, crucial for transpiration and photosynthesis, reinforces the intricate relationship between these stress types.

How an intrinsically disordered regulatory subunit assembles a PP1:eIF2 complex.

Fatalska et al.1 use an interdisciplinary strategy to elucidate how an intrinsically disordered regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 1 binds trimeric eIF2 and positions the phosphatase-substrate complex for dephosphorylation. As validation, they show that a disease mutation abolishes the interaction.

Masseter muscle thickness is predictive of cancer cachexia in patients with head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cancer cachexia is prevalent in head and neck cancer patients. The L3 skeletal muscle index (SMI) is often used to assess sarcopenia and cachexia but is infrequently able to be measured in this population. Masseter muscle thickness (MT) may serve as an alternative predictor of cachexia. METHODS: SMI and MT were calculated from 20 trauma (CTRL) and 40 cachectic (CA-CX) and non-cachectic (CA-NCX) head and neck cancer patients. Area Under the Curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUC-ROC) analysis was performed for SMI and MT. RESULTS: Both SMI and MT were significantly decreased in CA-CX patients (vs. CA-NCX mean difference -19.5 cm2/m2 and -2.06 mm, respectively) and significant predictors of CA-CX (AUC = 0.985 and 0.805, respectively). When analyzed by sex, the same findings were observed for MT in males and trended toward significance in females. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with SMI, MT is a good alternative prognostic biomarker to determine CA-CX status in HNC patients.

Auxin co-receptor IAA17/AXR3 controls cell elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana root solely by modulation of nuclear auxin pathway.

The nuclear TIR1/AFB-Aux/IAA auxin pathway plays a crucial role in regulating plant growth and development. Specifically, the IAA17/AXR3 protein participates in Arabidopsis thaliana root development, response to auxin and gravitropism. However, the mechanism by which AXR3 regulates cell elongation is not fully understood. We combined genetical and cell biological tools with transcriptomics and determination of auxin levels and employed live cell imaging and image analysis to address how the auxin response pathways influence the dynamics of root growth. We revealed that manipulations of the TIR1/AFB-Aux/IAA pathway rapidly modulate root cell elongation. While inducible overexpression of the AXR3-1 transcriptional inhibitor accelerated growth, overexpression of the dominant activator form of ARF5/MONOPTEROS inhibited growth. In parallel, AXR3-1 expression caused loss of auxin sensitivity, leading to transcriptional reprogramming, phytohormone signaling imbalance and increased levels of auxin. Furthermore, we demonstrated that AXR3-1 specifically perturbs nuclear auxin signaling, while the rapid auxin response remains functional. Our results shed light on the interplay between the nuclear and cytoplasmic auxin pathways in roots, revealing their partial independence but also the dominant role of the nuclear auxin pathway during the gravitropic response of Arabidopsis thaliana roots.

Elective nodal dissection for cN0 intermediate-grade parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma: A NCDB study.

PURPOSE: To determine the occult nodal disease rate and whether elective regional lymph node dissection (RLND) confers any 10-year overall survival (OS) in cN0 intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the parotid gland. MATERIALS & METHODS: The National Cancer Database was reviewed from 2004 to 2016 on adults with cT1-4aN0M0 intermediate-grade parotid MEC undergoing resection with/without RLND. Comparisons between patients with and without RLND were made. Occult nodal rate and 10-year overall survival (OS) were determined. RESULTS: Out of 898 included patients with cN0 intermediate grade parotid MEC undergoing elective RLND, the occult nodal rate was 7.6%. This was significantly different from low-grade (3.9%) and high-grade (25.7%) cN0 disease. When stratified by pT-classification, marginal differences were identified between low-grade and intermediate-grade tumors, whereas high-grade tumors demonstrated increased occult nodal disease with low T-stage (pT1-pT2, 20.4% vs. 5.1%) and high T-stage (pT3-pT4a, 32.1% vs. 17.6%). Patients undergoing elective RLND were more often treated at an academic facility (53.8% vs. 41.2%), had higher pT3-pT4 tumors (19.2% vs. 10.4%), and more frequently underwent total/radical parotidectomy (46.0% vs. 29.9%) with adjuvant radiation therapy (53.8% vs. 41.0%) Cox-proportional hazard modeling did not identify RLND, regardless if stratified by nodal yield or pT-classification, nor nodal positivity as significant predictors of 10-year OS. CONCLUSIONS: The occult nodal disease in intermediate-grade parotid MEC is low and similar to low-grade. Elective RLND may have a limited impact on OS, though its effect on locoregional control remains unknown. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Whole genome sequencing of resistance and virulence genes in multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium that causes serious hospital-acquired infections. To assess the risk of clinically isolated P. aeruginosa to human health, we analyzed the resistance and virulence mechanisms of a collection of clinical isolates. METHODS: This was a retrospective study in which P. aeruginosa isolates collected from January 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019 were analyzed using phenotypic and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) methods. The analysis included 48 clinical samples. Median patient age was 54.0 (29.5) years, and 58.3% of patients were women. Data from the microbiology laboratory database were reviewed to identify P. aeruginosa isolates. All unique isolates available for further testing were included, and related clinical data were collected. Infections were defined as hospital acquired if the index culture was obtained at least 48 h after hospitalization. RESULTS: High-risk P. aeruginosa clones, including sequence types (STs) ST235 and ST111, were identified, in addition to 12 new STs. The isolates showed varying degrees of biofilm formation ability when evaluated at room temperature, along with reduced metabolic activity, as measured by metabolic staining, suggesting their ability to evade antimicrobial therapy. Most isolates (77.1%) were multidrug resistant (MDR), with the highest resistance and susceptibility rates to beta-lactams and colistimethate sodium, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The MDR phenotypes of the examined isolates can be explained by the high prevalence of efflux-mediated resistance- and hydrolytic enzyme-encoding genes. These isolates had high cytotoxic potential, as indicated by the detection of toxin production-related genes.

Proteome-wide base editor screens to assess phosphorylation site functionality in high-throughput.

Signaling pathways that drive gene expression are typically depicted as having a dozen or so landmark phosphorylation and transcriptional events. In reality, thousands of dynamic post-translational modifications (PTMs) orchestrate nearly every cellular function, and we lack technologies to find causal links between these vast biochemical pathways and genetic circuits at scale. Here, we describe "signaling-to-transcription network" mapping through the development of PTM-centric base editing coupled to phenotypic screens, directed by temporally-resolved phosphoproteomics. Using T cell activation as a model, we observe hundreds of unstudied phosphorylation sites that modulate NFAT transcriptional activity. We identify the phosphorylation-mediated nuclear localization of the phosphatase PHLPP1 which promotes NFAT but inhibits NFκB activity. We also find that specific phosphosite mutants can alter gene expression in subtle yet distinct patterns, demonstrating the potential for fine-tuning transcriptional responses. Overall, base editor screening of PTM sites provides a powerful platform to dissect PTM function within signaling pathways.

Bridging Neuroscience and Robotics: Spiking Neural Networks in Action.

Robots are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the execution of complex tasks. However, an area that requires development is the ability to act in dynamically changing environments. To advance this, developments have turned towards understanding the human brain and applying this to improve robotics. The present study used electroencephalogram (EEG) data recorded from 54 human participants whilst they performed a two-choice task. A build-up of motor activity starting around 400 ms before response onset, also known as the lateralized readiness potential (LRP), was observed. This indicates that actions are not simply binary processes but rather, response-preparation is gradual and occurs in a temporal window that can interact with the environment. In parallel, a robot arm executing a pick-and-place task was developed. The understanding from the EEG data and the robot arm were integrated into the final system, which included cell assemblies (CAs)-a simulated spiking neural network-to inform the robot to place the object left or right. Results showed that the neural data from the robot simulation were largely consistent with the human data. This neurorobotics study provides an example of how to integrate human brain recordings with simulated neural networks in order to drive a robot.

Validity of the UCEEM in use: How Does it Triangulate with Qualitative Data in Measuring the Effect of an Educational Intervention?

Objectives: Improving medical student placements relies on being able to reliably evaluate how students experience clinical learning environments. The Undergraduate Clinical Education Environment Measure (UCEEM) is an increasingly used validated tool designed to allow such evaluations. This study aims to further characterize how the UCEEM relates to qualitative evaluation. methods: Students on placement at one hospital were invited to complete the UCEEM before and after the implementation of an innovative new placement structure. Additionally, focus groups were employed to collect qualitative data on their experiences. a novel protocol to triangulate the output of the UCEEM with the qualitative data was developed. Results: The UCEEM showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha 0.79-0.91) and internal correlation. Implementation of the intervention created significant improvements in the overall UCEEM scores (P = .008) and in the "Learning in and through work and quality of supervision" (P = .048), "Preparedness for student entry" (P = .033) and "Workplace interaction patterns and student inclusion" (P = .039) domains. The triangulation of qualitative data with UCEEM output showed that the UCEEM allowed evaluation of some perceptions not reached through open questioning. However, mixed interpretations of UCEEM items by students led to the conflation of themes and challenges in deriving the meaning behind the score. This appeared to be the case for 14 of the 24 UCEEM items. Conclusion: This investigation adds to the literature supporting the UCEEM as a validated tool. It also elucidates the limitations and relationships to qualitative data that investigators need to be aware of in its use.

Null effects of temporal prediction on recognition memory but evidence for differential neural activity at encoding. A registered report.

Previous research has demonstrated that rhythmic presentation of stimuli during encoding boosts subsequent recognition and is associated with distinct neural activity compared with when stimuli are presented in an arrhythmic manner. However, it is unclear whether the effect is driven by automatic entrainment to rhythm or non-rhythmic temporal prediction. This registered report presents an Electroencephalographic (EEG) study aimed at establishing the cognitive and neural mechanisms of the effect of temporal prediction on recognition. In a blocked design, stimulus onset during encoding was systematically manipulated in four conditions prior to recognition testing: rhythmic fixed (RF), rhythmic variable (RV), arrhythmic fixed (AF), and arrhythmic variable (AV). By orthogonally varying rhythm and temporal position we were able to assess their independent contributions to recognition enhancement. Our behavioural results did not replicate previous findings that show a difference in recognition memory based on temporal predictability at encoding. However, event-related potential (ERP) component analysis did show an early (N1) interaction effect of temporal position and rhythm, and later (N2 and Dm) effects driven by temporal position only. Taken together, we observed effects of temporal prediction at encoding, but these differences did not translate to later effects of memory, suggesting that effects of temporal prediction on recognition are less robust than previously thought.

Highlighter: An optogenetic system for high-resolution gene expression control in plants.

Optogenetic actuators have revolutionized the resolution at which biological processes can be controlled. In plants, deployment of optogenetics is challenging due to the need for these light-responsive systems to function in the context of horticultural light environments. Furthermore, many available optogenetic actuators are based on plant photoreceptors that might crosstalk with endogenous signaling processes, while others depend on exogenously supplied cofactors. To overcome such challenges, we have developed Highlighter, a synthetic, light-gated gene expression system tailored for in planta function. Highlighter is based on the photoswitchable CcaS-CcaR system from cyanobacteria and is repurposed for plants as a fully genetically encoded system. Analysis of a re-engineered CcaS in Escherichia coli demonstrated green/red photoswitching with phytochromobilin, a chromophore endogenous to plants, but also revealed a blue light response likely derived from a flavin-binding LOV-like domain. We deployed Highlighter in transiently transformed Nicotiana benthamiana for optogenetic control of fluorescent protein expression. Using light to guide differential fluorescent protein expression in nuclei of neighboring cells, we demonstrate unprecedented spatiotemporal control of target gene expression. We implemented the system to demonstrate optogenetic control over plant immunity and pigment production through modulation of the spectral composition of broadband visible (white) light. Highlighter is a step forward for optogenetics in plants and a technology for high-resolution gene induction that will advance fundamental plant biology and provide new opportunities for crop improvement.