MIT researchers have created a miniature “tractor beam” device, similar to the one featured in the “Star Wars” films, that can capture and manipulate cells using a beam of light. This chip-based device, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, utilizes a tightly focused beam emitted by a silicon-photonics chip to move particles several millimeters away from the chip surface. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize the study of DNA, classification of cells, and investigation of disease mechanisms.
The device works by using light to manipulate cells while allowing them to remain in a sterile environment, as it can penetrate the glass covers used in biological experiments. Traditional optical tweezers, which trap and manipulate particles using light, typically require bulky microscope setups. In contrast, this compact, chip-based system offers a more accessible and efficient solution, with the potential to be mass-manufactured for use in a wide range of biological experiments.
Unlike existing integrated optical tweezers, which can only manipulate cells very close to the chip’s surface—thus contaminating the chip and potentially stressing the cells—this new technology uses an integrated optical phased array. This system enables the manipulation of cells at distances more than a hundred times greater than previous models, making it more compatible with standard biological procedures.
This breakthrough opens up exciting possibilities for biological research, as it allows for more precise and less invasive manipulation of cells, ultimately making it easier to conduct high-throughput experiments and advance our understanding of cellular biology. According to Jelena Notaros, the lead researcher, the new technology could significantly enhance the capabilities of chip-based optical tweezers, facilitating a wide array of applications in the life sciences.
NEW DESK
PRESS UPDATE