Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Mapping the Emergent Spatial Organization of Mammalian Cells using Micropatterns and Quantitative Imaging

Mapping the Emergent Spatial Organization of Mammalian Cells using Micropatterns and Quantitative Imaging

Published on: April 30, 2019

Spatial Patterning of Micromotor Aggregation and Flux.

David P Rivas¹, Max Sokolich¹, Sambeeta Das¹

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, 130 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716.

Chemnanomat : Chemistry of Nanomaterials for Energy, Biology and More

|January 31, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...

Anaphase A and B

Anaphase A and B

Microtubules form through the end-to-end polymerization of tubulin heterodimers. Kinetochore microtubules originate from the spindle poles, and their plus-ends connect with the kinetochores on sister-chromatids. Ndc80 protein complexes, present on the kinetochore, form low-affinity links with the plus end of these kinetochore microtubules.
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...

Actin Treadmilling

Actin Treadmilling

Actin filaments undergo polymerization and depolymerization from either end. The polymerization and depolymerization rates depend on the cytosolic concentration of free G-actins. The polymerization rate is generally higher at the plus or barbed end, while the depolymerization rate is higher at the minus or pointed end. At a steady state, critical concentration describes the concentration of free G-actin monomers at which the polymerization rate at the plus end is equal to that of the...

Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate....

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Peanut Shaped Microrobots for Anticancer Therapy.

... International Conference on Manipulation Automation and Robotics at Small Scales (MARSS). International Conference on Manipulation Automation and Robotics at Small Scales·2026

Same author

Bio-inspired biped microwalker with magneto-acoustic actuation for cell manipulation.

Cell reports. Physical science·2026

Same author

Design and Control of a Novel Corkscrew Clawbot for Cell Manipulation.

... International Conference on Manipulation Automation and Robotics at Small Scales (MARSS). International Conference on Manipulation Automation and Robotics at Small Scales·2026

Same author

Automated control of catalytic Janus micromotors.

MRS advances·2026

Same author

Patchy Bubble-Propelled Colloids at Interfaces.

Advanced materials interfaces·2026

Same author

FABRICATION OF PATTERNED HYDROGELS WITH CONTROLLED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES USING CHEMICALLY MODIFIED RLPS.

International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition : [proceedings]. International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition·2026

Same journal

Electrospun Nanofibers for Wound Management.

ChemNanoMat : chemistry of nanomaterials for energy, biology and more·2022

Same journal

Phytotoxic effect of sub-3-nm crystalline ceria nanoparticles on the hydroponic growth of Daikon radish microgreens.

ChemNanoMat : chemistry of nanomaterials for energy, biology and more·2022

Same journal

Nanotechnology Toolkit for Combating COVID-19 and Beyond.

ChemNanoMat : chemistry of nanomaterials for energy, biology and more·2022

Same journal

Enzymatic Delivery of Magnetic Nanoparticles into Mitochondria of Live Cells.

ChemNanoMat : chemistry of nanomaterials for energy, biology and more·2021

Same journal

Flexible and Stretchable PEDOT-Embedded Hybrid Substrates for Bioengineering and Sensory Applications.

ChemNanoMat : chemistry of nanomaterials for energy, biology and more·2021

Same journal

Biomimetic Crystallization of MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Mediated by Peptide-Catalyzed Esterification at Low Temperature.

ChemNanoMat : chemistry of nanomaterials for energy, biology and more·2019

See all related articles

We investigated magnetic TiO2 micromotors and found that magnetic fields enhance their movement in patterned light. This magnetic control allows for light-induced aggregation, useful for self-assembly and swarm control applications.

Area of Science:

Active matter physics
Colloid science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Micromotors offer precise control over microscale transport.
Light-activated semiconductor materials enable remote manipulation of micro-devices.
Understanding active colloid behavior is crucial for micro-robotics and self-assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the influence of magnetic fields on the flux of light-activated TiO2 micromotors in spatially varying light patterns.
To explore light-induced aggregation of these micromotors and its temporal dynamics.
To demonstrate spatial patterning of micromotor aggregation for potential applications in swarm control and self-assembly.

Main Methods:

Utilizing spatially varying light patterns to guide semiconductor-based magnetic TiO2 micromotors.

Keywords:

Active Matter Microrobots Self-Assembly Semiconductor

More Related Videos

Pattern Generation for Micropattern Traction Microscopy

Pattern Generation for Micropattern Traction Microscopy

Published on: February 17, 2022

Patterning of Microorganisms and Microparticles through Sequential Capillarity-assisted Assembly

Patterning of Microorganisms and Microparticles through Sequential Capillarity-assisted Assembly

Published on: November 4, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Mapping the Emergent Spatial Organization of Mammalian Cells using Micropatterns and Quantitative Imaging

Mapping the Emergent Spatial Organization of Mammalian Cells using Micropatterns and Quantitative Imaging

Published on: April 30, 2019

Pattern Generation for Micropattern Traction Microscopy

Pattern Generation for Micropattern Traction Microscopy

Published on: February 17, 2022

Patterning of Microorganisms and Microparticles through Sequential Capillarity-assisted Assembly

Patterning of Microorganisms and Microparticles through Sequential Capillarity-assisted Assembly

Published on: November 4, 2021

Applying an external magnetic field to observe its effect on micromotor flux and trajectory.

Studying the time evolution of light-induced micromotor aggregation at different concentrations.

Main Results:

A magnetic field was found to enhance micromotor flux by straightening trajectories, reducing time in illuminated zones.
Spatially patterned light successfully induced micromotor aggregation.
The time evolution of aggregation was dependent on micromotor concentration.

Conclusions:

Trajectory shape significantly impacts active colloid flux in non-uniform environments.
Spatially patterned light offers enhanced control over micromotor aggregation.
These findings are relevant for self-assembly, swarm control, and understanding active matter with spatially varying activity.