Optical Tweezers: Phototoxicity and Thermal Stress in Cells and Biomolecules

Alfonso Blázquez-Castro

For several decades optical tweezers have proven to be an invaluable tool in the study and analysis of myriad biological responses and applications. However, as with every tool, they can have undesirable or damaging effects upon the very sample they are helping to study. In this review the main negative effects of optical tweezers upon biostructures and living systems will be presented. There are three main areas on which the review will focus: linear optical excitation within the tweezers, non-linear photonic effects, and thermal load upon the sampled volume. Additional information is provided on negative mechanical effects of optical traps on biological structures. Strategies to avoid or, at least, minimize these negative effects will be introduced. Finally, all these effects, undesirable for the most, can have positive applications under the right conditions. Some hints in this direction will also be discussed.

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