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Red Blood Cells as Endogenous Biotweezers for Optical Micromanipulation In Vivo
Tong Yang1, Xinyu Ren1, Dalin Ma1
1Department of Optoelectronic Engineering, School of Physics and Materials Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a bio-hybrid optical manipulation technique using a fiber probe and red blood cells (RBCs) to create in vivo biotweezers. This method significantly enhances microparticle trapping and immune cell activation for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Physics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Precise control of micro/nano-scale objects in vivo is essential for advanced biomedical applications.
- Existing optical manipulation techniques face limitations in vivo, particularly regarding trapping efficiency and range.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel bio-hybrid optical manipulation strategy for in vivo applications.
- To utilize natural red blood cells (RBCs) as endogenous biotweezers for enhanced micromanipulation.
- To investigate the potential of this approach for therapeutic delivery and immune cell modulation.
Main Methods:
- Integration of a long-distance manipulation fiber probe (LDMFP) with natural red blood cells (RBCs).
- Generation of an extended focal field using the engineered LDMFP to capture flowing RBCs.
- Utilizing trapped RBCs to create secondary optical traps for enhanced manipulation.
- Assembling RBCs into biotweezer arrays for long-distance directional transmission and field enhancement.
- Validation using finite-element simulations.
Main Results:
- Achieved significantly enhanced microparticle trapping probability (98% vs. 5%) compared to LDMFP alone.
- Demonstrated improved counter-flow migration velocity (12 µm/s vs. 4.5 µm/s).
- Showcased rapid immune cell activation within 10 seconds.
- Confirmed extended manipulation distances and enhanced focusing with RBC arrays.
- Simulations validated improved trapping stiffness and operational range.
Conclusions:
- The bio-hybrid approach using LDMFP and RBCs provides effective endogenous biotweezers for in vivo optical micromanipulation.
- This strategy offers superior trapping efficiency, velocity, and rapid immune cell activation.
- The developed platform holds promise for intravital therapeutic delivery and modulating immune cell behavior.
