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Technique for cellular microsurgery using the 193-nm excimer laser.
1Hadassah Laser Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, Israel.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
|January 1, 1991
Summary
A novel cold laser microsurgery technique precisely alters cells without thermal damage. This method, using deep UV laser pulses, successfully created precise holes in mouse oocytes, enabling normal fertilization and development.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Laser Microsurgery
Background:
- Precise cellular manipulation is crucial for biological research and assisted reproduction.
- Existing microsurgical techniques may cause thermal damage or lack submicron accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a novel, non-damaging cell surgery technique using deep ultraviolet laser.
- To assess the efficacy and safety of this technique for creating precise alterations in biological samples.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 193 nm argon fluoride excimer laser guided through a positive-pressure air-filled glass pipette.
- Precisely drilled holes in the zona pellucida of mouse oocytes, controlling dimensions via laser energy and pulse count.
- Examined drilled oocytes using scanning electron microscopy and assessed in vitro fertilization and blastocyst development rates.
Main Results:
- Achieved well-defined, uniform, round holes with sharp edges in the zona pellucida.
- Demonstrated that laser-drilled oocytes exhibited normal in vitro fertilization and development to the blastocyst stage, comparable to controls.
- Confirmed the non-damaging nature of the deep UV laser microsurgical procedure.
Conclusions:
- The developed cold laser microsurgery technique offers precise, non-perturbing cellular alterations.
- This method shows significant potential for applications in assisted reproduction, such as enhancing fertilization and embryo biopsy.
- The technique is broadly applicable to fundamental and applied research requiring submicron accuracy in cellular manipulation.