Optical manipulation of single molecules in the living cell

TY - JOUR

T1 - Optical manipulation of single molecules in the living cell

AU - Nørregaard, Kamilla

AU - Pedersen, Liselotte Jauffred

AU - Berg-Sørensen, K.

AU - Oddershede, Lene Broeng

PY - 2014/7/7

Y1 - 2014/7/7

N2 - Optical tweezers are the only nano-tools capable of manipulating and performing force-measurements on individual molecules and organelles within the living cell without performing destructive penetration through the cell wall and without the need for inserting a non-endogenous probe. Here, we describe how optical tweezers are used to manipulate individual molecules and perform accurate force and distance measurements within the complex cytoplasm of the living cell. Optical tweezers can grab individual molecules or organelles, if their optical contrast to the medium is large enough, as is the case, e.g., for lipid granules or chromosomes. However, often the molecule of interest is specifically attached to a handle manipulated by the optical trap. The most commonly used handles, their insertion into the cytoplasm, and the relevant micro-rheology of the cell are discussed here and we also review recent and exciting results achieved through optical force manipulation of individual molecules in vivo. This journal is

AB - Optical tweezers are the only nano-tools capable of manipulating and performing force-measurements on individual molecules and organelles within the living cell without performing destructive penetration through the cell wall and without the need for inserting a non-endogenous probe. Here, we describe how optical tweezers are used to manipulate individual molecules and perform accurate force and distance measurements within the complex cytoplasm of the living cell. Optical tweezers can grab individual molecules or organelles, if their optical contrast to the medium is large enough, as is the case, e.g., for lipid granules or chromosomes. However, often the molecule of interest is specifically attached to a handle manipulated by the optical trap. The most commonly used handles, their insertion into the cytoplasm, and the relevant micro-rheology of the cell are discussed here and we also review recent and exciting results achieved through optical force manipulation of individual molecules in vivo. This journal is

U2 - 10.1039/c4cp00208c

DO - 10.1039/c4cp00208c

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 24651890

SN - 1463-9076

VL - 16

SP - 12614

EP - 12624

JO - Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

JF - Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

IS - 25

ER -