Open AccessGuided neuronal growth using optical line traps
Author(s) -
David Carnegie,
David Stevenson,
Michaël Mazilu,
Frank GunnMoore,
Kishan Dholakia
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.010507
Subject(s) - filopodia , optics , optical tweezers , line (geometry) , physics , laser , light intensity , growth cone , biology , neuroscience , microbiology and biotechnology , axon , actin , geometry , mathematics
Optically guided neuron growth is a relatively new field where the exact mechanisms that initiate growth are not well understood. Both Gaussian light beams and optical line traps have been purported to initiate neuronal growth. Here we present a detailed study using optical line traps with symmetric and asymmetric intensity profiles which have been previously reported to bias the direction of neuronal growth. In contrast to these previous studies, we show similar levels of growth regardless of the direction of the intensity variation along the line trap. Furthermore, our experimental observations confirm previous suggestions that the filopodia produced from neuronal growth cones can be affected by laser light. We experimentally observe alignment of filopodia with the laser field and present a theoretical model describing the optical torques experienced by filopodia to explain this effect.