Detachment and reorientation of cells using near-infrared laser microbeam

Reorientation of adhering cell(s) with respect to other cell(s) has not been yet possible, thus limiting study of controlled interaction between cells. Here, we report cell detachment upon irradiation with a focused near-infrared laser beam, and reorientation of adherent cells. The detached cell was transported along the axial direction by scattering force and trapped at a higher plane inside the media using the same laser beam by a gravito-optical trap. The trapped cell could then be repositioned by movement of the sample stage and reoriented by rotation of the astigmatic trapping beam. The height at which the cell was stably held was found to depend on the laser beam power. Viability of the detached and manipulated cell was found not to be compromised as confirmed by propidium iodide fluorescence exclusion assay. The reoriented cell was allowed to reattach to the substrate at a controlled distance and orientation with respect to other cells. Further, the cell was found to retain its shape even after multiple detachments and manipulation using the laser beam. This technique opens up new avenues for noncontact modification of cellular orientations that will enable study of intercellular interactions and design of engineered tissue.