Laser-assisted optoporation of cells and tissues - a mini-review.

Herbert Schneckenburger

doi:10.1364/boe.10.002883

Abstract

Laser microbeam techniques are presented, which permit the introduction of molecules or small particles into living cells. Possible mechanisms - including photochemical, photothermal and opto-mechanical interactions (ablations) - are induced by continuous wave (cw) or pulsed lasers of different wavelength, power, and mode of operation. Laser-assisted optoporation permits the uptake of fluorescent dyes as well as DNA plasmids for cell transfection, and, in addition to its broad application to cultivated cells, may have some clinical potential.

Highlights

After the invention of the laser by Theodore Maiman in 1960 scientists applied its light focusing properties to biological systems, e.g. living cells and tissues [1]
While laser microbeams are often used for measurement or imaging of biological parameters as well as for trapping or moving of cells in an optical tweezer system, the present mini-review is focused on micromanipulation or microdissection techniques for introducing molecules or small particles into a cell
Such techniques offer an alternative to injection via micro-needles, as summarized in [5,6], and appear promising where the mechanisms involved are reversible and where cell viability can be maintained

Summary

Introduction

After the invention of the laser by Theodore Maiman in 1960 scientists applied its light focusing properties to biological systems, e.g. living cells and tissues [1]. While laser microbeams are often used for measurement or imaging of biological parameters as well as for trapping or moving of cells in an optical tweezer system, the present mini-review is focused on micromanipulation or microdissection techniques for introducing molecules or small particles into a cell Such techniques offer an alternative to injection via micro-needles, as summarized in [5,6], and appear promising where the mechanisms involved are reversible and where cell viability can be maintained. None these mechanisms work, laser microscopy techniques may support the uptake, e.g. of membrane impermeable fluorescent dyes or DNA plasmids In the latter case genes of a foreign organism can be introduced into a native genome in order to modify the functional or fluorescent properties of a cell. The mechanisms involved include photochemical, photothermal and opto-mechanical interactions (ablations), as described

Mechanisms

Applications

Findings

Conclusion