Abstract
We propose and demonstrate a new optical trapping method for single cells that utilizes modulated light fields to trap a wide array of cell types, including mammalian, yeast, and Escherichia coli cells, on the surface of a two-dimensional photonic crystal. This method is capable of reducing the required light intensity, and thus minimizing the photothermal damage to living cells, thereby extending cell viability in optical trapping and cell manipulation applications. To this end, a thorough characterization of cell viability in optical trapping environments was performed. This study also demonstrates the technique using spatial light modulation in patterned manipulation of live cell arrays over a broad area.
Highlights
Optical trapping has become a widely utilized, non-invasive tool for manipulation in biological applications, to place, identify and modify live cells[10,11], nano-particles and DNA strands[12]
Plasmonic optical tweezers use highly localized light intensity to increase the trapping force; used to trap living cells, such as yeast cells[15] and Escherichia coli (E. coli)[17], the large amount of heat generated by the plasmonic surface prohibits long-term manipulation of living cells
PhC waveguides highly localize light energy and trap particles through evanescent waves; the waveguide is not coupled with vibrating MEMS structures, and its nano-size trapping cavity is not versatile for various eukaryotic cells, whose sizes can vary from 3–10 μ m. To overcome these compatibility challenges, we propose and demonstrate an approach of low-intensity optical manipulation utilizing the interaction of laser light with a two-dimensional photonic crystal (2D PhC)
Summary
Optical trapping has become a widely utilized, non-invasive tool for manipulation in biological applications, to place, identify and modify live cells[10,11], nano-particles and DNA strands[12]. PhC waveguides highly localize light energy and trap particles through evanescent waves; the waveguide is not coupled with vibrating MEMS structures, and its nano-size trapping cavity is not versatile for various eukaryotic cells, whose sizes can vary from 3–10 μ m To overcome these compatibility challenges, we propose and demonstrate an approach of low-intensity optical manipulation utilizing the interaction of laser light with a two-dimensional photonic crystal (2D PhC). It enables optical trapping with reduced photodamage by minimizing the required laser intensity, while still maintaining the same trapping capability when manipulating living cells over broad areas (~500 μ m2) under the microscope using 20x objective lenses This technique can be integrated with lab-on-chip systems and potentially applied to measuring the mass of single living cells[8]. We experimentally verify that the viability is largely determined by overall intensity, rather than localized intensity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
