Open AccessThe micro‐robotic laboratory: Optical trapping and scissing for the biologist
Author(s) -
Conia Jérôme,
Edwards Bruce S.,
Voelkel Steve
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of clinical laboratory analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1098-2825
pISSN - 0887-8013
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2825(1997)11:1<28::aid-jcla6>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - optical tweezers , nanotechnology , computer science , instrumentation (computer programming) , laser , optics , materials science , physics , operating system
With the addition of tightly focused laser beams, microscopes have been turned into elaborate preparative tools that permit not only allow detailed observation of a specimen but also the capture, displacement, and microdissection of biological samples in vitro with astonishing ease and accuracy. Laser‐Tweezers are used to capture and manipulate cells and organelles. LaserScissors are used to perform microdissections at the submicrometer level. After a short technical description of the instrumentation and its principles of operation, several examples of applications are given relevant to the field of clinical research that could only be achieved using such modern technology. For instance, LaserTweezers and LaserScissors offer a unprecedented means to study the immune response to cancer, to control the growth of nerve cells, or expand the significance of assisted reproductive technologies. It is suggested that newly developing procedures and assays using laser‐assisted technologies will prove beneficial for future clinical laboratory testing. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 11:28–38. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.