Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
06:54
Combining 3D Magnetic Force Actuator and Multi-Functional Fluorescence Imaging to Study Nucleus Mechanobiology
Published on: July 5, 2022
2.9K
Intracellular Manipulation of Phagosomal Transport and Maturation Using Magnetic Tweezers
Shashank Shekhar1, Vinod Subramaniam2,3, Johannes S Kanger4
1Cytoskeleton Dynamics Group, I2BC, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France. shashank.shekhar@yahoo.com.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|November 6, 2016
Summary
This study details methods for tracking phagosome acidification and movement using magnetic tweezers. Researchers developed protocols for pH-sensitive magnetic microbeads and custom imaging setups to analyze phagocytosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Phagocytosis is a critical immune process where cells engulf and eliminate pathogens.
- Phagosomes mature and acidify during intracellular transport.
- Understanding phagosome dynamics is key to immune system research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present protocols for simultaneous imaging of phagosomal acidification and spatial manipulation.
- To enable detailed analysis of phagosome maturation and transport dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Functionalization of magnetic microbeads with pH-sensitive dyes and calibration.
- Preparation and force calibration of magnetic tweezers.
- Design of a custom electrical and optical setup for simultaneous imaging.
- Detailed data analysis methodology for phagosomal pH and location.
Main Results:
- Established protocols for functionalizing magnetic microbeads with pH-sensitive dyes.
- Developed methods for magnetic tweezers calibration and force generation.
- Created a custom setup for real-time imaging of phagosomal pH and position.
- Outlined a comprehensive data analysis approach.
Conclusions:
- The described protocols enable simultaneous monitoring of phagosomal pH and spatial manipulation.
- This methodology provides a powerful tool for studying phagocytosis and immune cell function.
- The techniques facilitate in-depth analysis of phagosome dynamics and intracellular trafficking.
