An opto-thermocapillary cell micromanipulator

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microfluidics
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Precise manipulation of single cells is crucial for understanding cellular behavior and developing advanced biological assays.
• Existing cell manipulation techniques like optical tweezers and dielectrophoresis have limitations related to optical properties and environmental conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new opto-thermocapillary micromanipulator (OTMm) for versatile single-cell manipulation and patterning.
• To demonstrate the OTMm's capability to trap and transport living cells using laser-induced thermocapillary convection.
• To evaluate the OTMm's performance in constructing single-cell matrices within common hydrogel environments.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a near-infrared laser focused on an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) substrate to generate localized heating and thermocapillary convection.
• Employing the induced fluid flow to trap and transport individual living cells with controlled forces (up to 40 pN).
• Constructing single-cell matrices in polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and agarose hydrogels.

Main Results:

• The OTMm successfully trapped and transported living cells, demonstrating forces up to 40 pN.
• High cell viability rates were achieved after manipulation and patterning in both PEGDA and agarose hydrogels.
• Cells patterned in agarose hydrogels exhibited spreading and migration during subsequent culturing, indicating functional cell recovery.

Conclusions:

• The opto-thermocapillary micromanipulator offers a robust and adaptable platform for single-cell manipulation and patterning.
• The OTMm is less dependent on environmental optical and electrical properties, expanding its applicability across various cell culture media.
• This technology facilitates the creation of organized cellular structures with high cell viability, supporting further cell behavior studies.