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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Optical tweezers for the micromanipulation of plant cytoplasm and organelles

Chris Hawes, Anne Osterrieder, Imogen A Sparkes and Tijs Ketelaar

Laser trapping of micron-sized particles can be achieved utilizing the radiation pressure generated by a focused infrared laser beam. Thus, it is theoretically possible to trap and manipulate organelles within the cytoplasm and remodel the architecture of the cytoplasm and membrane systems. Here we describe recent progress, using this under utilized technology, in the manipulation of cytoplasmic strands and organelles in plant cells.

DOI

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