Researchers are using optogenetics to tune communication between organelles within living cells. The optogenetics tools are being used to control the proteins that form the bridge between organelles, and to govern the length of the bridge at the nanoscale. Bridge length influences the critical functions of the cell; when it is disrupted, metabolic dysfunction and cell death can occur. Proteins are the building blocks of the 'bridge' between organelles in the cell. Courtesy of Yun Huang and Yubin Zhou. 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