Tamding Wangdi, Cheng-Yuk Lee, Alanna M. Spees, Chenzhou Yu, Dawn D. Kingsbury, Sebastian E. Winter, Christine J. Hastey, R. Paul Wilson, Volkmar Heinrich, and Andreas J. Bäumler
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) causes typhoid fever, a disseminated infection, while the closely related pathogen S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is associated with a localized gastroenteritis in humans. Here we investigated whether both pathogens differ in the chemotactic response they induce in neutrophils using a single-cell experimental approach. Surprisingly, neutrophils extended chemotactic pseudopodia toward Escherichia coli and S. Typhimurium, but not toward S. Typhi. Bacterial-guided chemotaxis was dependent on the presence of complement component 5a (C5a) and C5a receptor (C5aR). Deletion of S. Typhi capsule biosynthesis genes markedly enhanced the chemotactic response of neutrophils in vitro. Furthermore, deletion of capsule biosynthesis genes heightened the association of S. Typhi with neutrophils in vivo through a C5aR-dependent mechanism. Collectively, these data suggest that expression of the virulence-associated (Vi) capsular polysaccharide of S. Typhi obstructs bacterial-guided neutrophil chemotaxis.
DOI
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Plasmonic graded nano-disks as nano-optical conveyor belt
Zhiwen Kang, Haifei Lu, Jiajie Chen, Kun Chen, Fang Xu, and Ho-Pui Ho
We propose a plasmonic system consisting of nano-disks (NDs) with graded diameters for the realization of nano-optical conveyor belt. The system contains a couple of NDs with individual elements coded with different resonant wavelengths. By sequentially switching the wavelength and polarization of the excitation source, optically trapped target nano-particle can be transferred from one ND to another. The feasibility of such function is verified based on the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain technique and the Maxwell stress tensor method. Our design may provide an alternative way to construct nano-optical conveyor belt with which target molecules can be delivered between trapping sites, thus enabling many on-chip optofluidic applications.
DOI
We propose a plasmonic system consisting of nano-disks (NDs) with graded diameters for the realization of nano-optical conveyor belt. The system contains a couple of NDs with individual elements coded with different resonant wavelengths. By sequentially switching the wavelength and polarization of the excitation source, optically trapped target nano-particle can be transferred from one ND to another. The feasibility of such function is verified based on the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain technique and the Maxwell stress tensor method. Our design may provide an alternative way to construct nano-optical conveyor belt with which target molecules can be delivered between trapping sites, thus enabling many on-chip optofluidic applications.
DOI
Free-energy inference from partial work measurements in small systems
Marco Ribezzi-Crivellari and Felix Ritort
Fluctuation relations (FRs) are among the few existing general results in nonequilibrium systems. Their verification requires the measurement of the total work performed on a system. Nevertheless in many cases only a partial measurement of the work is possible. Here we consider FRs in dual-trap optical tweezers where two different forces (one per trap) are measured. With this setup we perform pulling experiments on single molecules by moving one trap relative to the other. We demonstrate that work should be measured using the force exerted by the trap that is moved. The force that is measured in the trap at rest fails to provide the full dissipation in the system, leading to a (incorrect) work definition that does not satisfy the FR. The implications to single-molecule experiments and free-energy measurements are discussed. In the case of symmetric setups a second work definition, based on differential force measurements, is introduced. This definition is best suited to measure free energies as it shows faster convergence of estimators. We discuss measurements using the (incorrect) work definition as an example of partial work measurement. We show how to infer the full work distribution from the partial one via the FR. The inference process does also yield quantitative information, e.g., the hydrodynamic drag on the dumbbell. Results are also obtained for asymmetric dual-trap setups. We suggest that this kind of inference could represent a previously unidentified and general application of FRs to extract information about irreversible processes in small systems.
DOI
Fluctuation relations (FRs) are among the few existing general results in nonequilibrium systems. Their verification requires the measurement of the total work performed on a system. Nevertheless in many cases only a partial measurement of the work is possible. Here we consider FRs in dual-trap optical tweezers where two different forces (one per trap) are measured. With this setup we perform pulling experiments on single molecules by moving one trap relative to the other. We demonstrate that work should be measured using the force exerted by the trap that is moved. The force that is measured in the trap at rest fails to provide the full dissipation in the system, leading to a (incorrect) work definition that does not satisfy the FR. The implications to single-molecule experiments and free-energy measurements are discussed. In the case of symmetric setups a second work definition, based on differential force measurements, is introduced. This definition is best suited to measure free energies as it shows faster convergence of estimators. We discuss measurements using the (incorrect) work definition as an example of partial work measurement. We show how to infer the full work distribution from the partial one via the FR. The inference process does also yield quantitative information, e.g., the hydrodynamic drag on the dumbbell. Results are also obtained for asymmetric dual-trap setups. We suggest that this kind of inference could represent a previously unidentified and general application of FRs to extract information about irreversible processes in small systems.
DOI
Gold nanorod assisted intracellular optical manipulation of silica microspheres
P. Haro-González, P. Rodríguez Sevilla, F. Sanz-Rodríguez, E. Martín Rodríguez, Nicoleta Bogdan, J.A. Capobianco, K. Dholakia, and D. Jaque
We report on the improvement of the infrared optical trapping efficiency of dielectric microspheres by the controlled adhesion of gold nanorods to their surface. When trapping wavelength was equal to the surface plasmon resonance wavelength of the gold nanorods (808 nm), a 7 times improvement in the optical force acting on the microspheres was obtained. Such a gold nanorod assisted enhancement of the optical trapping efficiency enabled the intracellular manipulation of the decorated dielectric microsphere by using a low power (22 mW) infrared optical trap.
DOI
We report on the improvement of the infrared optical trapping efficiency of dielectric microspheres by the controlled adhesion of gold nanorods to their surface. When trapping wavelength was equal to the surface plasmon resonance wavelength of the gold nanorods (808 nm), a 7 times improvement in the optical force acting on the microspheres was obtained. Such a gold nanorod assisted enhancement of the optical trapping efficiency enabled the intracellular manipulation of the decorated dielectric microsphere by using a low power (22 mW) infrared optical trap.
DOI
Driving corrugated donut rotors with Laguerre-Gauss beams
Vincent L. Y. Loke, Theodor Asavei, Alexander B. Stilgoe, Timo A. Nieminen, and Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop
Tightly-focused laser beams that carry angular momentum have been used to trap and rotate microrotors. In particular, a Laguerre-Gauss mode laser beam can be used to transfer its orbital angular momentum to drive microrotors. We increase the torque efficiency by a factor of about 2 by designing the rotor such that its geometry is compatible with the driving beam, when driving the rotation with the optimum beam, rather than beams of higher or lower orbital angular momentum. Based on Floquet’s theorem, the order of discrete rotational symmetry of the rotor can be made to couple with the azimuthal mode of the Laguerre-Gauss beam. We design corrugated donut rotors, that have a flat disc-like profile, with the help of the discrete dipole approximation and the T-matrix methods in parallel with experimental demonstrations of stable trapping and torque measurement. We produce and test such a rotor using two-photon photopolymerization. With a rotor that has 8-fold discrete rotational symmetry, an outer radius of 1.85 μm and a hollow core radius of 0.5 μm, we were able to transfer approximately 0.3 h̄ per photon of the orbital angular momentum from an LG04 beam.
DOI
Tightly-focused laser beams that carry angular momentum have been used to trap and rotate microrotors. In particular, a Laguerre-Gauss mode laser beam can be used to transfer its orbital angular momentum to drive microrotors. We increase the torque efficiency by a factor of about 2 by designing the rotor such that its geometry is compatible with the driving beam, when driving the rotation with the optimum beam, rather than beams of higher or lower orbital angular momentum. Based on Floquet’s theorem, the order of discrete rotational symmetry of the rotor can be made to couple with the azimuthal mode of the Laguerre-Gauss beam. We design corrugated donut rotors, that have a flat disc-like profile, with the help of the discrete dipole approximation and the T-matrix methods in parallel with experimental demonstrations of stable trapping and torque measurement. We produce and test such a rotor using two-photon photopolymerization. With a rotor that has 8-fold discrete rotational symmetry, an outer radius of 1.85 μm and a hollow core radius of 0.5 μm, we were able to transfer approximately 0.3 h̄ per photon of the orbital angular momentum from an LG04 beam.
DOI
Monday, August 18, 2014
Photoacoustic radiation force on a microbubble
Hakan Erkol, Esra Aytac-Kipergil, and Mehmet Burcin Unlu
We investigate the radiation force on a microbubble due to the photoacoustic wave which is generated by using a pulsed laser. In particular, we focus on the dependence of pulsed laser parameters on the radiation force. In order to do so, we first obtain a new and comprehensive analytical solution to the photoacoustic wave equation based on the Fourier transform for various absorption profiles. Then, we write an expression of the radiation force containing explicit laser parameters, pulse duration, and beamwidth of the laser. Furthermore, we calculate the primary radiation force acting on a microbubble. We show that laser parameters and the position of the microbubble relative to a photoacoustic source have a considerable effect on the primary radiation force. By means of recent developments in laser technologies that render tunability of pulse duration and repetition frequency possible, an adjustable radiation force can be applied to microbubbles. High spatial control of applied force is ensured on account of smaller focal spots achievable by focused optics. In this context, conventional piezoelectric acoustic source applications could be surpassed. In addition, it is possible to increase the radiation force by making source wavelength with the absorption peak of absorber concurrent. The application of photoacoustic radiation force can open a cache of opportunities such as manipulation of microbubbles used as contrast agents and as carrier vehicles for drugs and genes with a desired force along with in vivo applications.
DOI
We investigate the radiation force on a microbubble due to the photoacoustic wave which is generated by using a pulsed laser. In particular, we focus on the dependence of pulsed laser parameters on the radiation force. In order to do so, we first obtain a new and comprehensive analytical solution to the photoacoustic wave equation based on the Fourier transform for various absorption profiles. Then, we write an expression of the radiation force containing explicit laser parameters, pulse duration, and beamwidth of the laser. Furthermore, we calculate the primary radiation force acting on a microbubble. We show that laser parameters and the position of the microbubble relative to a photoacoustic source have a considerable effect on the primary radiation force. By means of recent developments in laser technologies that render tunability of pulse duration and repetition frequency possible, an adjustable radiation force can be applied to microbubbles. High spatial control of applied force is ensured on account of smaller focal spots achievable by focused optics. In this context, conventional piezoelectric acoustic source applications could be surpassed. In addition, it is possible to increase the radiation force by making source wavelength with the absorption peak of absorber concurrent. The application of photoacoustic radiation force can open a cache of opportunities such as manipulation of microbubbles used as contrast agents and as carrier vehicles for drugs and genes with a desired force along with in vivo applications.
DOI
Ultrasensitive Diagnostic Analysis of Au Nanoparticles Optically Trapped in Silicon Photonic Circuits at Sub-Milliwatt Powers
S. Hamed Mirsadeghi and Jeff F. Young
Silicon microcavity-based optical trapping of Au nanoparticles with diameters as small as ≈24 nm is achieved using optical powers <1 mW. By comparing measured and modeled histograms of transmission time series data obtained when a particle is trapped in the cavity, it is shown that the influence of backaction on the transmitted light dynamics alone can be used to determine the size of trapped particles with nanometer precision.
DOI
Silicon microcavity-based optical trapping of Au nanoparticles with diameters as small as ≈24 nm is achieved using optical powers <1 mW. By comparing measured and modeled histograms of transmission time series data obtained when a particle is trapped in the cavity, it is shown that the influence of backaction on the transmitted light dynamics alone can be used to determine the size of trapped particles with nanometer precision.
DOI
Determination of the elastic properties of short ssDNA molecules by mechanically folding and unfolding DNA hairpins
A. Alemany and F. Ritort
The characterization of ideal elastic properties of biopolymers is crucial to understand many molecular reactions determined by conformational bending fluctuations of the polymer. Direct measurement of such elastic properties using single molecule methods is usually hindered by the intrinsic tendency of such biopolymers to form high-order molecular structures. For example, single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acids (ssDNA) tend to form secondary structures such as local double helices that prevent the direct measurement of the ideal elastic response of the ssDNA. In this work we show how to extract the ideal elastic response in the entropic regime of short ssDNA molecules by mechanically pulling two-state DNA hairpins of different contour lengths. This is achieved by measuring the force dependence of the molecular extension and stiffness upon mechanically folding and unfolding the DNA hairpin. Both quantities are fit to the worm-like chain elastic model giving values for the persistence length and the interphosphate distance. This method can be used to unravel the elastic properties of short ssDNA and RNA sequences and, more generally, any biopolymer that can exhibit a cooperative two-state transition between mechanically folded and unfolded states (such as proteins).
DOI
The characterization of ideal elastic properties of biopolymers is crucial to understand many molecular reactions determined by conformational bending fluctuations of the polymer. Direct measurement of such elastic properties using single molecule methods is usually hindered by the intrinsic tendency of such biopolymers to form high-order molecular structures. For example, single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acids (ssDNA) tend to form secondary structures such as local double helices that prevent the direct measurement of the ideal elastic response of the ssDNA. In this work we show how to extract the ideal elastic response in the entropic regime of short ssDNA molecules by mechanically pulling two-state DNA hairpins of different contour lengths. This is achieved by measuring the force dependence of the molecular extension and stiffness upon mechanically folding and unfolding the DNA hairpin. Both quantities are fit to the worm-like chain elastic model giving values for the persistence length and the interphosphate distance. This method can be used to unravel the elastic properties of short ssDNA and RNA sequences and, more generally, any biopolymer that can exhibit a cooperative two-state transition between mechanically folded and unfolded states (such as proteins).
DOI
Optical forces and torques on realistic plasmonic nanostructures: a surface integral approach
Alok Ji, T. V. Raziman, Jérémy Butet, R. P. Sharma, and Olivier J. F. Martin
We develop a novel formalism to calculate the optical forces and torques on complex and realistic nanostructures by combining the surface integral equation (SIE) technique with Maxwell’s stress tensor. The optical force is calculated directly on the scatterer surface from the currents obtained from the SIE, which does not require an additional surface to evaluate Maxwell’s stress tensor; this is especially useful for intricate geometries such as plasmonic antennas. SIE enables direct evaluation of forces from the surface currents very efficiently and accurately for complex systems. As a proof of concept, we establish the accuracy of the model by comparing the results with the calculations from the Mie theory. The flexibility of the method is demonstrated by simulating a realistic plasmonic system with intricate geometry.
DOI
We develop a novel formalism to calculate the optical forces and torques on complex and realistic nanostructures by combining the surface integral equation (SIE) technique with Maxwell’s stress tensor. The optical force is calculated directly on the scatterer surface from the currents obtained from the SIE, which does not require an additional surface to evaluate Maxwell’s stress tensor; this is especially useful for intricate geometries such as plasmonic antennas. SIE enables direct evaluation of forces from the surface currents very efficiently and accurately for complex systems. As a proof of concept, we establish the accuracy of the model by comparing the results with the calculations from the Mie theory. The flexibility of the method is demonstrated by simulating a realistic plasmonic system with intricate geometry.
DOI
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Trehalose facilitates DNA melting: a single-molecule optical tweezers study
Sergey Bezrukavnikov, Alireza Mashaghi, Roeland J. van Wijk, Chan Gu, Li Jiang Yang, Yi Qin Gao and Sander J. Tans
Using optical tweezers, here we show that the overstretching transition force of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is lowered significantly by the addition of the disaccharide trehalose as well as certain polyol osmolytes. This effect is found to depend linearly on the logarithm of the trehalose concentration. We propose an entropic driving mechanism for the experimentally observed destabilization of dsDNA that is rooted in the higher affinity of the DNA bases for trehalose than for water, which promotes base exposure and DNA melting. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals the direct interaction of trehalose with nucleobases. Experiments with other osmolytes confirm that the extent of dsDNA destabilization is governed by the ratio between polar and apolar fractions of an osmolyte.
DOI
Using optical tweezers, here we show that the overstretching transition force of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is lowered significantly by the addition of the disaccharide trehalose as well as certain polyol osmolytes. This effect is found to depend linearly on the logarithm of the trehalose concentration. We propose an entropic driving mechanism for the experimentally observed destabilization of dsDNA that is rooted in the higher affinity of the DNA bases for trehalose than for water, which promotes base exposure and DNA melting. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals the direct interaction of trehalose with nucleobases. Experiments with other osmolytes confirm that the extent of dsDNA destabilization is governed by the ratio between polar and apolar fractions of an osmolyte.
DOI
Stochastic but Highly Coordinated Protein Unfolding and Translocation by the ClpXP Proteolytic Machine
Juan Carlos Cordova, Adrian O. Olivares, Yongdae Shin, Benjamin M. Stinson, Stephane Calmat, Karl R. Schmitz, Marie-Eve Aubin-Tam, Tania A. Baker, Matthew J. Lang, Robert T. Sauer
ClpXP and other AAA+ proteases recognize, mechanically unfold, and translocate target proteins into a chamber for proteolysis. It is not known whether these remarkable molecular machines operate by a stochastic or sequential mechanism or how power strokes relate to the ATP-hydrolysis cycle. Single-molecule optical trapping allows ClpXP unfolding to be directly visualized and reveals translocation steps of ∼1–4 nm in length, but how these activities relate to solution degradation and the physical properties of substrate proteins remains unclear. By studying single-molecule degradation using different multidomain substrates and ClpXP variants, we answer many of these questions and provide evidence for stochastic unfolding and translocation. We also present a mechanochemical model that accounts for single-molecule, biochemical, and structural results for our observation of enzymatic memory in translocation stepping, for the kinetics of translocation steps of different sizes, and for probabilistic but highly coordinated subunit activity within the ClpX ring.
DOI
ClpXP and other AAA+ proteases recognize, mechanically unfold, and translocate target proteins into a chamber for proteolysis. It is not known whether these remarkable molecular machines operate by a stochastic or sequential mechanism or how power strokes relate to the ATP-hydrolysis cycle. Single-molecule optical trapping allows ClpXP unfolding to be directly visualized and reveals translocation steps of ∼1–4 nm in length, but how these activities relate to solution degradation and the physical properties of substrate proteins remains unclear. By studying single-molecule degradation using different multidomain substrates and ClpXP variants, we answer many of these questions and provide evidence for stochastic unfolding and translocation. We also present a mechanochemical model that accounts for single-molecule, biochemical, and structural results for our observation of enzymatic memory in translocation stepping, for the kinetics of translocation steps of different sizes, and for probabilistic but highly coordinated subunit activity within the ClpX ring.
DOI
Relevance of cardiomyocyte mechano-electric coupling to stretch-induced arrhythmias: Optical voltage/calcium measurement in mechanically stimulated cells, tissues and organs
Kinya Seo, Masashi Inagaki, Ichiro Hidaka, Hana Fukano, Masaru Sugimachi, Toshiaki Hisada, Satoshi Nishimura, Seiryo Sugiura
Stretch-induced arrhythmias are multi-scale phenomena in which alterations in channel activities and/or calcium handling lead to the organ level derangement of the heart rhythm. To understand how cellular mechano-electric coupling (MEC) leads to stretch-induced arrhythmias at the organ level, we developed stretching devices and optical voltage/calcium measurement techniques optimized to each cardiac level. This review introduces these experimental techniques of (1) optical voltage measurement coupled with a carbon-fiber technique for single isolated cardiomyocytes, (2) optical voltage mapping combined with motion tracking technique for myocardial tissue/whole heart preparations and (3) real-time calcium imaging coupled with a laser optical trap technique for cardiomyocytes. Following the overview of each methodology, results are presented. We conclude that individual MEC in cardiomyocytes can be heterogeneous at the ventricular level, especially when moderate amplitude mechanical stretches are applied to the heart, and that this heterogeneous MEC can evoke focal excitation that develops into re-entrant arrhythmias.
DOI
Stretch-induced arrhythmias are multi-scale phenomena in which alterations in channel activities and/or calcium handling lead to the organ level derangement of the heart rhythm. To understand how cellular mechano-electric coupling (MEC) leads to stretch-induced arrhythmias at the organ level, we developed stretching devices and optical voltage/calcium measurement techniques optimized to each cardiac level. This review introduces these experimental techniques of (1) optical voltage measurement coupled with a carbon-fiber technique for single isolated cardiomyocytes, (2) optical voltage mapping combined with motion tracking technique for myocardial tissue/whole heart preparations and (3) real-time calcium imaging coupled with a laser optical trap technique for cardiomyocytes. Following the overview of each methodology, results are presented. We conclude that individual MEC in cardiomyocytes can be heterogeneous at the ventricular level, especially when moderate amplitude mechanical stretches are applied to the heart, and that this heterogeneous MEC can evoke focal excitation that develops into re-entrant arrhythmias.
DOI
Helicity-dependent three-dimensional optical trapping of chiral microparticles
Georgiy Tkachenko & Etienne Brasselet
The rule of thumb of tailored optical forces consists in the control of linear momentum exchange between light and matter. This may be done by appropriate selection of the interaction geometry, optical modes or environmental characteristics. Here we reveal that the interplay of the helicity of light and the chirality of matter turns the photon spin angular momentum into an efficient tool for selective trapping of chiral particles. This is demonstrated, both experimentally and theoretically, by exploring the three-dimensional optical trapping of chiral liquid crystal microspheres with circularly polarized Gaussian or Laguerre–Gaussian beams. These results suggest the development of novel optomechanical strategies that rely on the photon helicity towards selective trapping and manipulation of chiral objects by chiral light.
DOI
The rule of thumb of tailored optical forces consists in the control of linear momentum exchange between light and matter. This may be done by appropriate selection of the interaction geometry, optical modes or environmental characteristics. Here we reveal that the interplay of the helicity of light and the chirality of matter turns the photon spin angular momentum into an efficient tool for selective trapping of chiral particles. This is demonstrated, both experimentally and theoretically, by exploring the three-dimensional optical trapping of chiral liquid crystal microspheres with circularly polarized Gaussian or Laguerre–Gaussian beams. These results suggest the development of novel optomechanical strategies that rely on the photon helicity towards selective trapping and manipulation of chiral objects by chiral light.
DOI
Exclusion-Zone Dynamics Explored with Microfluidics and Optical Tweezers
István N. Huszár, Zsolt Mártonfalvi, András József Laki, Kristóf Iván and Miklós Kellermayer
The exclusion zone (EZ) is a boundary region devoid of macromolecules and microscopic particles formed spontaneously in the vicinity of hydrophilic surfaces. The exact mechanisms behind this remarkable phenomenon are still not fully understood and are debated. We measured the short- and long-time-scale kinetics of EZ formation around a Nafion gel embedded in specially designed microfluidic devices. The time-dependent kinetics of EZ formation follow a power law with an exponent of 0.6 that is strikingly close to the value of 0.5 expected for a diffusion-driven process. By using optical tweezers we show that exclusion forces, which are estimated to fall in the sub-pN regime, persist within the fully-developed EZ, suggesting that EZ formation is not a quasi-static but rather an irreversible process. Accordingly, the EZ-forming capacity of the Nafion gel could be exhausted with time, on a scale of hours in the presence of 1 mM Na2HPO4. EZ formation may thus be a non-equilibrium thermodynamic cross-effect coupled to a diffusion-driven transport process. Such phenomena might be particularly important in the living cell by providing mechanical cues within the complex cytoplasmic environment.
DOI
The exclusion zone (EZ) is a boundary region devoid of macromolecules and microscopic particles formed spontaneously in the vicinity of hydrophilic surfaces. The exact mechanisms behind this remarkable phenomenon are still not fully understood and are debated. We measured the short- and long-time-scale kinetics of EZ formation around a Nafion gel embedded in specially designed microfluidic devices. The time-dependent kinetics of EZ formation follow a power law with an exponent of 0.6 that is strikingly close to the value of 0.5 expected for a diffusion-driven process. By using optical tweezers we show that exclusion forces, which are estimated to fall in the sub-pN regime, persist within the fully-developed EZ, suggesting that EZ formation is not a quasi-static but rather an irreversible process. Accordingly, the EZ-forming capacity of the Nafion gel could be exhausted with time, on a scale of hours in the presence of 1 mM Na2HPO4. EZ formation may thus be a non-equilibrium thermodynamic cross-effect coupled to a diffusion-driven transport process. Such phenomena might be particularly important in the living cell by providing mechanical cues within the complex cytoplasmic environment.
DOI
Friday, August 8, 2014
Stand-alone three-dimensional optical tweezers based on fibred bowtie nanoaperture
Hameed, N.M. ; EL Eter, A. ; Grosjean, T. ; Baida, F.I.
We study optical trapping of small particles based on the use of a Bowtie Nanoaperture Antenna (BNA) engraved at the end of a metal coated near field optical microscope tip. Within the obtained light confinement, a 3D trapping of latex nanoparticles is studied and quantified as a function of the incident light power. Good agreement between experimental and numerical results is obtained for a BNA operating in water at ( = 1064 nm) that faithfully traps 250 nm-radius latex particles. Further numerical investigations are performed to study the dynamic of the trapping process in comparison with experimental results. In addition, numerical results for R = 100 nm and R = 30 nm-radii latex particles are presented and show that such a configuration has the potential to trap latex particles as small as 30 nm-radius.
DOI
We study optical trapping of small particles based on the use of a Bowtie Nanoaperture Antenna (BNA) engraved at the end of a metal coated near field optical microscope tip. Within the obtained light confinement, a 3D trapping of latex nanoparticles is studied and quantified as a function of the incident light power. Good agreement between experimental and numerical results is obtained for a BNA operating in water at ( = 1064 nm) that faithfully traps 250 nm-radius latex particles. Further numerical investigations are performed to study the dynamic of the trapping process in comparison with experimental results. In addition, numerical results for R = 100 nm and R = 30 nm-radii latex particles are presented and show that such a configuration has the potential to trap latex particles as small as 30 nm-radius.
DOI
Engineered Micro- and Nanoscale Diamonds as Mobile Probes for High-Resolution Sensing in Fluid
Paolo Andrich, Benjamín J. Alemán, Jonathan C. Lee, Kenichi Ohno, Charles F. de las Casas, F. Joseph Heremans, Evelyn L. Hu, and David D. Awschalom
The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is an attractive platform for quantum information and sensing applications because of its room temperature operation and optical addressability. A major research effort focuses on improving the quantum coherence of this defect in engineered micro- and nanoscale diamond particles (DPs), which could prove useful for high-resolution sensing in fluidic environments. In this work we fabricate cylindrical diamonds particles with finely tuned and highly reproducible sizes (diameter and height ranging from 100 to 700 and 500 nm to 2 μm, respectively) using high-purity, single-crystal diamond membranes with shallow-doped NV centers. We show that the spin coherence time of the NV centers in these particles exceeds 700 μs, opening the possibility for the creation of ultrahigh sensitivity micro- and nanoscale sensors. Moreover, these particles can be efficiently transferred into a water suspension and delivered to the region to probe. In particular, we introduce a DP suspension inside a microfluidic circuit and control position and orientation of the particles using an optical trapping apparatus. We demonstrate a DC magnetic sensitivity of 9 μT/√Hz in fluid as well as long-term trapping stability (>30 h), which paves the way toward the use of high-sensitivity pulse techniques on contactless probes manipulated within biological settings.
DOI
The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is an attractive platform for quantum information and sensing applications because of its room temperature operation and optical addressability. A major research effort focuses on improving the quantum coherence of this defect in engineered micro- and nanoscale diamond particles (DPs), which could prove useful for high-resolution sensing in fluidic environments. In this work we fabricate cylindrical diamonds particles with finely tuned and highly reproducible sizes (diameter and height ranging from 100 to 700 and 500 nm to 2 μm, respectively) using high-purity, single-crystal diamond membranes with shallow-doped NV centers. We show that the spin coherence time of the NV centers in these particles exceeds 700 μs, opening the possibility for the creation of ultrahigh sensitivity micro- and nanoscale sensors. Moreover, these particles can be efficiently transferred into a water suspension and delivered to the region to probe. In particular, we introduce a DP suspension inside a microfluidic circuit and control position and orientation of the particles using an optical trapping apparatus. We demonstrate a DC magnetic sensitivity of 9 μT/√Hz in fluid as well as long-term trapping stability (>30 h), which paves the way toward the use of high-sensitivity pulse techniques on contactless probes manipulated within biological settings.
DOI
Optical Printing of Electrodynamically Coupled Metallic Nanoparticle Arrays
Ying Bao , Zijie Yan , and Norbert F. Scherer
Optical forces acting on metallic nanoparticles can be used to organize mesoscale arrays for various applications. Here, we show that silver nanoparticles can be deposited as ordered arrays and chains on chemically modified substrates using a simple and facile optical trapping approach that we term “optical printing”. The deposited patterns show preferred separations between nanoparticles resulting from their electrodynamic coupling (i.e., optical binding) in the electromagnetic field of the optical trapping beam. Centrosymmetric optical traps readily allow simultaneous deposition of nanoparticle pairs and triples maintaining the interparticle geometries present in solution. Repositioning an optical line trap with small intercolumn separations allows selectively sampling low and high energy parts of the interparticle potentials. We find that the preferred particle arrangements controllably change from rectangular and triangular to near-field aggregates as one forces the separation to be small. The separation affects the interactions. Interpretation of the results is facilitated by electrodynamic simulations of optical forces. This optical printing approach, which enables efficient fabrication of dense nanoparticle arrays with nanoscale positional precision, is being employed for quantum optics and enhanced sensing measurements.
DOI
Optical forces acting on metallic nanoparticles can be used to organize mesoscale arrays for various applications. Here, we show that silver nanoparticles can be deposited as ordered arrays and chains on chemically modified substrates using a simple and facile optical trapping approach that we term “optical printing”. The deposited patterns show preferred separations between nanoparticles resulting from their electrodynamic coupling (i.e., optical binding) in the electromagnetic field of the optical trapping beam. Centrosymmetric optical traps readily allow simultaneous deposition of nanoparticle pairs and triples maintaining the interparticle geometries present in solution. Repositioning an optical line trap with small intercolumn separations allows selectively sampling low and high energy parts of the interparticle potentials. We find that the preferred particle arrangements controllably change from rectangular and triangular to near-field aggregates as one forces the separation to be small. The separation affects the interactions. Interpretation of the results is facilitated by electrodynamic simulations of optical forces. This optical printing approach, which enables efficient fabrication of dense nanoparticle arrays with nanoscale positional precision, is being employed for quantum optics and enhanced sensing measurements.
DOI
Precession Mechanism of Nematic Liquid Crystal Droplets under Low Power Optical Tweezers
Sorasak Phanphak, Apichart Pattanaporkratana, Jumras Limtrakul & Nattaporn Chattham
Optical tweezers is a magnificent tool for microscopic manipulation. Owing to few piconewton noninvasive trapping force, the tiny objects from micro sand beads down to living bacteria can be trapped under optical tweezers system. Liquid crystals (LC) are materials that enriched of optical properties providing various phemomena that can be applied for technology. In this report, we applied optical tweezers to nematic liquid crystal system for the optical manipulation study. 5CB (4-cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl) was used with an appropriate surfactant to prepare nematic liquid crystal (NLC) droplets at room temperature. NLC droplets in radial and bipolar configurations can be formed. They react with light angular momentum and reveal dynamic and static changes through spinning and changing of internal configuration. Several recent articles reported spinning dynamics of NLC droplets under high power trapping (more than a few hundred milliwatts), however, high power caused disturbance in internal configuration of droplets. Dynamic changes of droplet under low power trapping (lower than 100 mW) conducting so far were reported unsuccessful. Here we report the first investigation on behaviour of radial NLC droplet under low power optical trap. The configuration of droplets was not disturbed under low power trapping. We investigated the dynamic behaviour of non-disturbed NLC droplet in low power optical trap.
DOI
Optical tweezers is a magnificent tool for microscopic manipulation. Owing to few piconewton noninvasive trapping force, the tiny objects from micro sand beads down to living bacteria can be trapped under optical tweezers system. Liquid crystals (LC) are materials that enriched of optical properties providing various phemomena that can be applied for technology. In this report, we applied optical tweezers to nematic liquid crystal system for the optical manipulation study. 5CB (4-cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl) was used with an appropriate surfactant to prepare nematic liquid crystal (NLC) droplets at room temperature. NLC droplets in radial and bipolar configurations can be formed. They react with light angular momentum and reveal dynamic and static changes through spinning and changing of internal configuration. Several recent articles reported spinning dynamics of NLC droplets under high power trapping (more than a few hundred milliwatts), however, high power caused disturbance in internal configuration of droplets. Dynamic changes of droplet under low power trapping (lower than 100 mW) conducting so far were reported unsuccessful. Here we report the first investigation on behaviour of radial NLC droplet under low power optical trap. The configuration of droplets was not disturbed under low power trapping. We investigated the dynamic behaviour of non-disturbed NLC droplet in low power optical trap.
DOI
Optical trapping Rayleigh particles by using focused multi-Gaussian Schell-model beams
Xiayin Liu and Daomu Zhao
We numerically investigate the radiation forces of multi-Gaussian Schell-model (MGSM) beams, in which the degree of coherence is modeled by the multi-Gaussian function, exerted on the Rayleigh dielectric sphere. By simulation of the forces calculation it is found that the steepness of the edge of the intensity profile (i.e., the summation index M) and the initial coherence width of the MGSM beams play important roles in the trapping range and stability. We can increase the trapping range at the focal plane by increasing the value of M or decreasing the initial coherence of the MGSM beams. It is also found that the trapping stability becomes lower due to the increase of the value of M or the decrease of coherence. Furthermore, the trapping stability under different conditions is explicitly analyzed. The results presented here are helpful for some possible applications.
DOI
We numerically investigate the radiation forces of multi-Gaussian Schell-model (MGSM) beams, in which the degree of coherence is modeled by the multi-Gaussian function, exerted on the Rayleigh dielectric sphere. By simulation of the forces calculation it is found that the steepness of the edge of the intensity profile (i.e., the summation index M) and the initial coherence width of the MGSM beams play important roles in the trapping range and stability. We can increase the trapping range at the focal plane by increasing the value of M or decreasing the initial coherence of the MGSM beams. It is also found that the trapping stability becomes lower due to the increase of the value of M or the decrease of coherence. Furthermore, the trapping stability under different conditions is explicitly analyzed. The results presented here are helpful for some possible applications.
DOI
Friday, August 1, 2014
DNA bridging and looping by HMO1 provides a mechanism for stabilizing nucleosome-free chromatin
Divakaran Murugesapillai, Micah J. McCauley, Ran Huo, Molly H. Nelson Holte, Armen Stepanyants, L. James Maher III, Nathan E. Israeloff and Mark C. Williams
The regulation of chromatin structure in eukaryotic cells involves abundant architectural factors such as high mobility group B (HMGB) proteins. It is not understood how these factors control the interplay between genome accessibility and compaction. In vivo, HMO1 binds the promoter and coding regions of most ribosomal RNA genes, facilitating transcription and possibly stabilizing chromatin in the absence of histones. To understand how HMO1 performs these functions, we combine single molecule stretching and atomic force microscopy (AFM). By stretching HMO1-bound DNA, we demonstrate a hierarchical organization of interactions, in which HMO1 initially compacts DNA on a timescale of seconds, followed by bridge formation and stabilization of DNA loops on a timescale of minutes. AFM experiments demonstrate DNA bridging between strands as well as looping by HMO1. Our results support a model in which HMO1 maintains the stability of nucleosome-free chromatin regions by forming complex and dynamic DNA structures mediated by protein–protein interactions.
DOI
The regulation of chromatin structure in eukaryotic cells involves abundant architectural factors such as high mobility group B (HMGB) proteins. It is not understood how these factors control the interplay between genome accessibility and compaction. In vivo, HMO1 binds the promoter and coding regions of most ribosomal RNA genes, facilitating transcription and possibly stabilizing chromatin in the absence of histones. To understand how HMO1 performs these functions, we combine single molecule stretching and atomic force microscopy (AFM). By stretching HMO1-bound DNA, we demonstrate a hierarchical organization of interactions, in which HMO1 initially compacts DNA on a timescale of seconds, followed by bridge formation and stabilization of DNA loops on a timescale of minutes. AFM experiments demonstrate DNA bridging between strands as well as looping by HMO1. Our results support a model in which HMO1 maintains the stability of nucleosome-free chromatin regions by forming complex and dynamic DNA structures mediated by protein–protein interactions.
DOI
Ceragenin Mediated Selectivity of Antimicrobial Silver Nanoparticles
Mark A Hoppens , Christopher B Sylvester , Ammar T Qureshi , Thomas Scherr , Desiree R Czapski , Randolph S Duran , Paul B Savage , and Daniel J. Hayes
The understanding that common broad spectrum antimicrobials disrupt natural microbial flora important in acquiring nutrients and preventing infection has resulted in a paradigm shift favoring more selective antimicrobials. This report explores silver nanoparticles conjugated with ceragenin, or cationic antimicrobials (CSA-SNPs), as a potential gram-positive selective antimicrobial. Herein, CSA-SNPs are characterized using TEM, DLS, zeta potential, and HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS. The antimicrobial properties are determined through MIC/MBC and time-kill studies. Spatial selectivity of the conjugate nanoparticle was evaluated using confocal imaging, MATLAB statistical analysis, and video monitored interactions between bacteria and CSA-SNPs via laser trapping techniques. Cytotoxicity is also determined by live/dead staining and flow cytometry. Average particle size as determined through TEM analysis and hydrodynamic diameter determined via DLS are 63.5 +/- 38.8 nm and 102.23 +/- 2.3 nm respectively. The zeta potential of the SNP before and after CSA attachment is -18.23 mV and -8.34 mV. MIC/MBC data suggests CSA-SNPs are eight times more effective against Staphylococcus aureus than SNPs alone. Furthermore, MATLAB analysis of confocal imaging found that 70% of CSA-SNPs are within 2 µm of S. aureus whereas this percentage falls to below 40% with respect to Escherichia coli. These results are bolstered further by laser trapping experiments demonstrating selective adherence of CSA-SNPs conjugates with bacterial strains. Cytotoxicity studies of CSA-SNPs against 3T3 fibroblasts indicate 50% cell viability at 50 ppm.
DOI
The understanding that common broad spectrum antimicrobials disrupt natural microbial flora important in acquiring nutrients and preventing infection has resulted in a paradigm shift favoring more selective antimicrobials. This report explores silver nanoparticles conjugated with ceragenin, or cationic antimicrobials (CSA-SNPs), as a potential gram-positive selective antimicrobial. Herein, CSA-SNPs are characterized using TEM, DLS, zeta potential, and HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS. The antimicrobial properties are determined through MIC/MBC and time-kill studies. Spatial selectivity of the conjugate nanoparticle was evaluated using confocal imaging, MATLAB statistical analysis, and video monitored interactions between bacteria and CSA-SNPs via laser trapping techniques. Cytotoxicity is also determined by live/dead staining and flow cytometry. Average particle size as determined through TEM analysis and hydrodynamic diameter determined via DLS are 63.5 +/- 38.8 nm and 102.23 +/- 2.3 nm respectively. The zeta potential of the SNP before and after CSA attachment is -18.23 mV and -8.34 mV. MIC/MBC data suggests CSA-SNPs are eight times more effective against Staphylococcus aureus than SNPs alone. Furthermore, MATLAB analysis of confocal imaging found that 70% of CSA-SNPs are within 2 µm of S. aureus whereas this percentage falls to below 40% with respect to Escherichia coli. These results are bolstered further by laser trapping experiments demonstrating selective adherence of CSA-SNPs conjugates with bacterial strains. Cytotoxicity studies of CSA-SNPs against 3T3 fibroblasts indicate 50% cell viability at 50 ppm.
DOI
Channel-Facilitated Diffusion Boosted by Particle Binding at the Channel Entrance
Stefano Pagliara, Simon L. Dettmer, and Ulrich F. Keyser
We investigate single-file diffusion of Brownian particles in arrays of closely confining microchannels permeated by a variety of attractive optical potentials and connecting two baths with equal particle concentration. We simultaneously test free diffusion in the channel, diffusion in optical traps coupled in the center of the channel, and diffusion in traps extending into the baths. We found that both classes of attractive optical potentials enhance the translocation rate through the channel with respect to free diffusion. Surprisingly, for the latter class of potentials we measure a 40-fold enhancement in the translocation rate with respect to free diffusion and find a sublinear power law dependence of the translocation rate on the average number of particles in the channel. Our results reveal the function of particle binding at the channel entrances for diffusive transport and open the way to a better understanding of membrane transport and design of synthetic membranes with enhanced diffusion rate.
DOI
We investigate single-file diffusion of Brownian particles in arrays of closely confining microchannels permeated by a variety of attractive optical potentials and connecting two baths with equal particle concentration. We simultaneously test free diffusion in the channel, diffusion in optical traps coupled in the center of the channel, and diffusion in traps extending into the baths. We found that both classes of attractive optical potentials enhance the translocation rate through the channel with respect to free diffusion. Surprisingly, for the latter class of potentials we measure a 40-fold enhancement in the translocation rate with respect to free diffusion and find a sublinear power law dependence of the translocation rate on the average number of particles in the channel. Our results reveal the function of particle binding at the channel entrances for diffusive transport and open the way to a better understanding of membrane transport and design of synthetic membranes with enhanced diffusion rate.
DOI
Four-directional stereo-microscopy for 3D particle tracking with real-time error evaluation
R. F. Hay, G. M. Gibson, M. P. Lee, M. J. Padgett, and D. B. Phillips
High-speed video stereo-microscopy relies on illumination from two distinct angles to create two views of a sample from different directions. The 3D trajectory of a microscopic object can then be reconstructed using parallax to combine 2D measurements of its position in each image. In this work, we evaluate the accuracy of 3D particle tracking using this technique, by extending the number of views from two to four directions. This allows us to record two independent sets of measurements of the 3D coordinates of tracked objects, and comparison of these enables measurement and minimisation of the tracking error in all dimensions. We demonstrate the method by tracking the motion of an optically trapped microsphere of 5 μm in diameter, and find an accuracy of 2–5 nm laterally, and 5–10 nm axially, representing a relative error of less than 2.5% of its range of motion in each dimension.
DOI
High-speed video stereo-microscopy relies on illumination from two distinct angles to create two views of a sample from different directions. The 3D trajectory of a microscopic object can then be reconstructed using parallax to combine 2D measurements of its position in each image. In this work, we evaluate the accuracy of 3D particle tracking using this technique, by extending the number of views from two to four directions. This allows us to record two independent sets of measurements of the 3D coordinates of tracked objects, and comparison of these enables measurement and minimisation of the tracking error in all dimensions. We demonstrate the method by tracking the motion of an optically trapped microsphere of 5 μm in diameter, and find an accuracy of 2–5 nm laterally, and 5–10 nm axially, representing a relative error of less than 2.5% of its range of motion in each dimension.
DOI
Near real-time measurement of forces applied by an optical trap to a rigid cylindrical object
Joseph Glaser; David Hoeprich; Andrew Resnick
An automated data acquisition and processing system is established to measure the force applied by an optical trap to an object of unknown composition in real time. Optical traps have been in use for the past 40 years to manipulate microscopic particles, but the magnitude of applied force is often unknown and requires extensive instrument characterization. Measuring or calculating the force applied by an optical trap to nonspherical particles presents additional difficulties which are also overcome with our system. Extensive experiments and measurements using well-characterized objects were performed to verify the system performance.
DOI
DOI
Surface Charge Effects on Optical Trapping of Nanometer-Sized Lipid Vesicles
Seongmin Park, Siyoung Choi, Chaeyeon Song, MahnWon Kim and Myung Chul Choi
Optical trapping of nanometer-sized lipid vesicles has been challenging due to the low refractive index contrast of the thin lipid bilayer to the aqueous medium. Using an “optical bottle”, a recently developed technique to measure interactions of nanoparticles trapped by an infrared laser, we report, for the first time, quantitative measurements of the trapping energy of charged lipid vesicles. We found that the trapping energy increases with the relative amount of anionic lipids (DOPG) to neutral lipids (DOPC) in vesicles. Moreover, as monovalent salt is added in the exterior solution of vesicles, the trapping energy rapidly approaches zero, and this decrease in trapping energy strongly depends on the amount of anionic lipids in vesicles. A simple model with our experimental observations explains that the trapping energy of charged lipid vesicles is highly correlated with the surface charge density and electric double layer. In addition, we demonstrated selective trapping of a binary mixture of vesicles in different mole fractions of charged lipids, a strategy that has potential implications on charge selective vesicle sorting for engineering applications.
DOI
Optical trapping of nanometer-sized lipid vesicles has been challenging due to the low refractive index contrast of the thin lipid bilayer to the aqueous medium. Using an “optical bottle”, a recently developed technique to measure interactions of nanoparticles trapped by an infrared laser, we report, for the first time, quantitative measurements of the trapping energy of charged lipid vesicles. We found that the trapping energy increases with the relative amount of anionic lipids (DOPG) to neutral lipids (DOPC) in vesicles. Moreover, as monovalent salt is added in the exterior solution of vesicles, the trapping energy rapidly approaches zero, and this decrease in trapping energy strongly depends on the amount of anionic lipids in vesicles. A simple model with our experimental observations explains that the trapping energy of charged lipid vesicles is highly correlated with the surface charge density and electric double layer. In addition, we demonstrated selective trapping of a binary mixture of vesicles in different mole fractions of charged lipids, a strategy that has potential implications on charge selective vesicle sorting for engineering applications.
DOI
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