Peter Reece and Steven Neale
This feature issue of Biomedical Optics Express presents studies which were the focus of the fourth OTA Topical Meeting that was held on 12–15 April 2015 in Vancouver, Canada.
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Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Monday, October 5, 2015
Magnetically Self-Assembled Colloidal Three-Dimensional Structures as Cell Growth Scaffold
Gašper Kokot, Špela Zemljič Jokhadar, Urška Batista, and Dušan Babič
Understanding the chemical and physical conditions for cell growth is important from biological and medical aspects. Many tissues and cell types (e.g., epithelial cells and neurons) naturally grow on surfaces that span in three-dimensions and offer structural or mechanical support. The scaffold surface has to promote adhesion and cell proliferation as well as support their weight and retain its structural integrity. Here, we present a flexible method that uses self-assembly of micrometer superparamagnetic particles to produce appropriate scaffold surfaces with controllable general appearance in three dimensions, such as oriented membranes, branched structure, or void network. As a proof of principle, the Chinese hamster ovary epithelial cell line was successfully grown for several days on inclined membranes. Robustness of the oriented membrane architecture was probed with optical tweezers. We measured the magnetic force holding one particle in a self-assembled upright hexagonal sheet and modeled it as a sum of pair interaction forces between spatially arrested static dipoles.
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Understanding the chemical and physical conditions for cell growth is important from biological and medical aspects. Many tissues and cell types (e.g., epithelial cells and neurons) naturally grow on surfaces that span in three-dimensions and offer structural or mechanical support. The scaffold surface has to promote adhesion and cell proliferation as well as support their weight and retain its structural integrity. Here, we present a flexible method that uses self-assembly of micrometer superparamagnetic particles to produce appropriate scaffold surfaces with controllable general appearance in three dimensions, such as oriented membranes, branched structure, or void network. As a proof of principle, the Chinese hamster ovary epithelial cell line was successfully grown for several days on inclined membranes. Robustness of the oriented membrane architecture was probed with optical tweezers. We measured the magnetic force holding one particle in a self-assembled upright hexagonal sheet and modeled it as a sum of pair interaction forces between spatially arrested static dipoles.
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Automated Pairing Manipulation of Biological Cells With a Robot-Tweezers Manipulation System
Mingyang Xie; Yong Wang; Gang Feng; Dong Sun
With an increased demand for various cell-based clinical applications and drug discovery, an enable technology that can automatically locate and pair biological cells from different groups, with high precision and throughput, is highly demanded. This paper presents a novel approach to achieving such cell manipulation using an automatically controlled holographic optical tweezers system, where a robotically controlled optical tweezers functions as a special manipulator to transfer cells automatically. The proposed cell pairing approach utilizes the concept of concentric circles for topology design and the artificial potential field functions for controller development. The significance of the proposed method lies in that the preassignment of cell destinations is not needed, the interdistance amongst the paired cells is controllable, and grouping scalability is not limited. Experiments are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
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With an increased demand for various cell-based clinical applications and drug discovery, an enable technology that can automatically locate and pair biological cells from different groups, with high precision and throughput, is highly demanded. This paper presents a novel approach to achieving such cell manipulation using an automatically controlled holographic optical tweezers system, where a robotically controlled optical tweezers functions as a special manipulator to transfer cells automatically. The proposed cell pairing approach utilizes the concept of concentric circles for topology design and the artificial potential field functions for controller development. The significance of the proposed method lies in that the preassignment of cell destinations is not needed, the interdistance amongst the paired cells is controllable, and grouping scalability is not limited. Experiments are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
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Optical trapping and orientation of Escherichia coli cells using two tapered fiber probes
Jianbin Huang, Xiaoshuai Liu, Yao Zhang, and Baojun Li
We report on the optical trapping and orientation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells using two tapered fiber probes. With a laser beam at 980 nm wavelength launched into probe I, an E. coli chain consisting of three cells was formed at the tip of probe I. After launching a beam at 980 nm into probe II, the E. coli at the end of the chain was trapped and oriented via the optical torques yielded by two probes. The orientation of the E. coli was controlled by adjusting the laser power of probe II. Experimental results were interpreted by theoretical analysis and numerical simulations.
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We report on the optical trapping and orientation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells using two tapered fiber probes. With a laser beam at 980 nm wavelength launched into probe I, an E. coli chain consisting of three cells was formed at the tip of probe I. After launching a beam at 980 nm into probe II, the E. coli at the end of the chain was trapped and oriented via the optical torques yielded by two probes. The orientation of the E. coli was controlled by adjusting the laser power of probe II. Experimental results were interpreted by theoretical analysis and numerical simulations.
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Surface imaging beyond the diffraction limit with optically trapped spheres
Lars Friedrich & Alexander Rohrbach
Optical traps play an increasing role in the bionanosciences because of their ability to apply forces flexibly on tiny structures in fluid environments. Combined with particle-tracking techniques, they allow the sensing of miniscule forces exerted on these structures. Similar to atomic force microscopy (AFM), but much more sensitive, an optically trapped probe can be scanned across a structured surface to measure the height profile from the displacements of the probe. Here we demonstrate that, by the combination of a time-shared twin-optical trap and nanometre-precise three-dimensional interferometric particle tracking, both reliable height profiling and surface imaging are possible with a spatial resolution below the diffraction limit. The technique exploits the high-energy thermal position fluctuations of the trapped probe, and leads to a sampling of the surface 5,000 times softer than in AFM. The measured height and force profiles from test structures and Helicobacter cells illustrate the potential to uncover specific properties of hard and soft surfaces.
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Optical traps play an increasing role in the bionanosciences because of their ability to apply forces flexibly on tiny structures in fluid environments. Combined with particle-tracking techniques, they allow the sensing of miniscule forces exerted on these structures. Similar to atomic force microscopy (AFM), but much more sensitive, an optically trapped probe can be scanned across a structured surface to measure the height profile from the displacements of the probe. Here we demonstrate that, by the combination of a time-shared twin-optical trap and nanometre-precise three-dimensional interferometric particle tracking, both reliable height profiling and surface imaging are possible with a spatial resolution below the diffraction limit. The technique exploits the high-energy thermal position fluctuations of the trapped probe, and leads to a sampling of the surface 5,000 times softer than in AFM. The measured height and force profiles from test structures and Helicobacter cells illustrate the potential to uncover specific properties of hard and soft surfaces.
DOI
Multi-dimensional single-spin nano-optomechanics with a levitated nanodiamond
Levi P. Neukirch, Eva von Haartman, Jessica M. Rosenholm & A. Nick Vamivakas
Considerable advances made in the development of nanomechanical and nano-optomechanical devices have enabled the observation of quantum effects, improved sensitivity to minute forces and provided avenues to probe fundamental physics at the nanoscale. Concurrently, solid-state quantum emitters with optically accessible spin degrees of freedom have been pursued in applications ranging from quantum information science to nanoscale sensing. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid nano-optomechanical system composed of a nanodiamond (containing a single nitrogen–vacancy centre) that is levitated in an optical dipole trap. The mechanical state of the diamond is controlled by modulation of the optical trapping potential. We demonstrate the ability to imprint the multi-dimensional mechanical motion of the cavity-free mechanical oscillator into the nitrogen–vacancy centre fluorescence and manipulate the mechanical system's intrinsic spin. This result represents the first step towards a hybrid quantum system based on levitating nanoparticles that simultaneously engages optical, phononic and spin degrees of freedom.
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Considerable advances made in the development of nanomechanical and nano-optomechanical devices have enabled the observation of quantum effects, improved sensitivity to minute forces and provided avenues to probe fundamental physics at the nanoscale. Concurrently, solid-state quantum emitters with optically accessible spin degrees of freedom have been pursued in applications ranging from quantum information science to nanoscale sensing. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid nano-optomechanical system composed of a nanodiamond (containing a single nitrogen–vacancy centre) that is levitated in an optical dipole trap. The mechanical state of the diamond is controlled by modulation of the optical trapping potential. We demonstrate the ability to imprint the multi-dimensional mechanical motion of the cavity-free mechanical oscillator into the nitrogen–vacancy centre fluorescence and manipulate the mechanical system's intrinsic spin. This result represents the first step towards a hybrid quantum system based on levitating nanoparticles that simultaneously engages optical, phononic and spin degrees of freedom.
DOI
Saturday, October 3, 2015
An overview of micro-force sensing techniques
Yuzhang Wei, Qingsong Xu
Due to the trend of miniaturization of devices, micromanipulation has been a hot topic in the last two decades. Unlike the macro world, the micro object is easy to be damaged if the contact force is not reliably detected and controlled. Hence, micro-force sensing is of great importance in micromanipulation, microassembly, medical applications, biomedical applications, materials science, dimension measurements and MEMS/NEMS for protecting micro-parts and micro-gripper from being damaged and ensuring the success of the manipulation process. This paper presents a survey of the recent methods of micro-force sensing. The working principle, detection accuracy, advantage and disadvantage of seven widely used force sensing methods are presented. Typical applications of each method in micro-assembly and micromanipulation are discussed. In addition, the comparisons among different kinds of force sensing approaches have been addressed. Moreover, another five promising micro-force sensing methods, which are confined to special component measurements or not widely used, are briefly introduced. Furthermore, two popular types of commercial micro-force sensors are listed to provide a guideline of selection for a specific application. The presented state-of-the-art overview is helpful to those engaged in micro-force sensing area to know the recent development and research tendency on micro-force sensing.
DOI
Due to the trend of miniaturization of devices, micromanipulation has been a hot topic in the last two decades. Unlike the macro world, the micro object is easy to be damaged if the contact force is not reliably detected and controlled. Hence, micro-force sensing is of great importance in micromanipulation, microassembly, medical applications, biomedical applications, materials science, dimension measurements and MEMS/NEMS for protecting micro-parts and micro-gripper from being damaged and ensuring the success of the manipulation process. This paper presents a survey of the recent methods of micro-force sensing. The working principle, detection accuracy, advantage and disadvantage of seven widely used force sensing methods are presented. Typical applications of each method in micro-assembly and micromanipulation are discussed. In addition, the comparisons among different kinds of force sensing approaches have been addressed. Moreover, another five promising micro-force sensing methods, which are confined to special component measurements or not widely used, are briefly introduced. Furthermore, two popular types of commercial micro-force sensors are listed to provide a guideline of selection for a specific application. The presented state-of-the-art overview is helpful to those engaged in micro-force sensing area to know the recent development and research tendency on micro-force sensing.
DOI
Plasmonic Nanopores for Trapping, Controlling Displacement, and Sequencing of DNA
Maxim Belkin, Shu-Han Chao, Magnus P. Jonsson, Cees Dekker, and Aleksei Aksimentiev
With the aim of developing a DNA sequencing methodology, we theoretically examine the feasibility of using nanoplasmonics to control the translocation of a DNA molecule through a solid-state nanopore and to read off sequence information using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that high-intensity optical hot spots produced by a metallic nanostructure can arrest DNA translocation through a solid-state nanopore, thus providing a physical knob for controlling the DNA speed. Switching the plasmonic field on and off can displace the DNA molecule in discrete steps, sequentially exposing neighboring fragments of a DNA molecule to the pore as well as to the plasmonic hot spot. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering from the exposed DNA fragments contains information about their nucleotide composition, possibly allowing the identification of the nucleotide sequence of a DNA molecule transported through the hot spot. The principles of plasmonic nanopore sequencing can be extended to detection of DNA modifications and RNA characterization.
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With the aim of developing a DNA sequencing methodology, we theoretically examine the feasibility of using nanoplasmonics to control the translocation of a DNA molecule through a solid-state nanopore and to read off sequence information using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that high-intensity optical hot spots produced by a metallic nanostructure can arrest DNA translocation through a solid-state nanopore, thus providing a physical knob for controlling the DNA speed. Switching the plasmonic field on and off can displace the DNA molecule in discrete steps, sequentially exposing neighboring fragments of a DNA molecule to the pore as well as to the plasmonic hot spot. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering from the exposed DNA fragments contains information about their nucleotide composition, possibly allowing the identification of the nucleotide sequence of a DNA molecule transported through the hot spot. The principles of plasmonic nanopore sequencing can be extended to detection of DNA modifications and RNA characterization.
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Trapping and manipulation of microparticles using laser-induced convection currents and photophoresis
E. Flores-Flores, S. A. Torres-Hurtado, R. Páez, U. Ruiz, G. Beltrán-Pérez, S. L. Neale, J. C. Ramirez-San-Juan, and R. Ramos-García
In this work we demonstrate optical trapping and manipulation of microparticles suspended in water due to laser-induced convection currents. Convection currents are generated due to laser light absorption in an hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a:Si-H) thin film. The particles are dragged towards the beam's center by the convection currents (Stokes drag force) allowing trapping with powers as low as 0.8 mW. However, for powers >3 mW trapped particles form a ring around the beam due to two competing forces: Stokes drag and thermo-photophoretic forces. Additionally, we show that dynamic beam shaping can be used to trap and manipulate multiple particles by photophotophoresis without the need of lithographically created resistive heaters.
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In this work we demonstrate optical trapping and manipulation of microparticles suspended in water due to laser-induced convection currents. Convection currents are generated due to laser light absorption in an hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a:Si-H) thin film. The particles are dragged towards the beam's center by the convection currents (Stokes drag force) allowing trapping with powers as low as 0.8 mW. However, for powers >3 mW trapped particles form a ring around the beam due to two competing forces: Stokes drag and thermo-photophoretic forces. Additionally, we show that dynamic beam shaping can be used to trap and manipulate multiple particles by photophotophoresis without the need of lithographically created resistive heaters.
DOI
Relevance of the Drag Force during Controlled Translocation of a DNA–Protein Complex through a Glass Nanocapillary
Roman D. Bulushev, Sanjin Marion, and Aleksandra Radenovic
Combination of glass nanocapillaries with optical tweezers allowed us to detect DNA–protein complexes in physiological conditions. In this system, a protein bound to DNA is characterized by a simultaneous change of the force and ionic current signals from the level observed for the bare DNA. Controlled displacement of the protein away from the nanocapillary opening revealed decay in the values of the force and ionic current. Negatively charged proteins EcoRI, RecA, and RNA polymerase formed complexes with DNA that experienced electrophoretic force lower than the bare DNA inside nanocapillaries. Force profiles obtained for DNA-RecA in our system were different than those in the system with nanopores in membranes and optical tweezers. We suggest that such behavior is due to the dominant impact of the drag force comparing to the electrostatic force acting on a DNA–protein complex inside nanocapillaries. We explained our results using a stochastic model taking into account the conical shape of glass nanocapillaries.
DOI
Combination of glass nanocapillaries with optical tweezers allowed us to detect DNA–protein complexes in physiological conditions. In this system, a protein bound to DNA is characterized by a simultaneous change of the force and ionic current signals from the level observed for the bare DNA. Controlled displacement of the protein away from the nanocapillary opening revealed decay in the values of the force and ionic current. Negatively charged proteins EcoRI, RecA, and RNA polymerase formed complexes with DNA that experienced electrophoretic force lower than the bare DNA inside nanocapillaries. Force profiles obtained for DNA-RecA in our system were different than those in the system with nanopores in membranes and optical tweezers. We suggest that such behavior is due to the dominant impact of the drag force comparing to the electrostatic force acting on a DNA–protein complex inside nanocapillaries. We explained our results using a stochastic model taking into account the conical shape of glass nanocapillaries.
DOI
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