The Advanced Materials article titled “Optically Actuated soft Microrobot Family for Single‐cell Manipulation” unveils a groundbreaking innovation in the realm of cellular biology. Researchers have introduced a novel family of cell manipulators that can be deformed by optical tweezers. These microrobots, crafted with high-resolution 3D lithography using the photoresist Ormocomp, offer enhanced precision in single-cell manipulation, eliminating the need for biochemical functionalization. The study highlights how this advancement promises to streamline indirect optical trapping processes, ensuring cells can be released without compromising their integrity. The use of elasticity in these microrobots marks a significant leap forward in cellular manipulation techniques.
Innovative Approach to Cell Manipulation
Precisely controlled manipulation of non-adherent single cells is essential for their detailed investigation. Optical trapping provides a versatile means for positioning cells with sub-micrometer precision or measuring forces with femto-Newton resolution. However, traditional methods of optical trapping often involve risks of photodamage. To overcome these challenges, researchers have developed a technique known as indirect optical trapping. This method uses optically trapped microtools, which are biochemically bound to the cell, enabling superior spatial control and stability.
The researchers have now introduced a more straightforward approach to indirect optical trapping by designing deformable microrobots that rely on their elasticity to hold cells. This innovative family of cell manipulators, deformable by optical tweezers, avoids biochemical functionalization for cell attachment. Consequently, the manipulated cells can be released at any time, offering a new level of flexibility and control in cellular manipulation.
Applications and Advantages
Using the photoresist Ormocomp, the study characterizes the deformations achievable with optical forces in the tens of pN range. The researchers present three modes of single-cell manipulation to showcase the potential applications of these soft microrobotic tools. These applications include cell collection, 3D cell imaging, and spatially and temporally controlled cell-cell interaction. These microrobots can perform intricate cellular tasks with unprecedented precision, enhancing the scope of single-cell analysis and research.
Compared to previous advancements in this field, the introduction of optically actuated soft microrobots represents a significant development. Earlier methods involved the risk of photodamage and required complex biochemical processes for cell attachment. The elasticity-based approach simplifies the trapping process and minimizes risks, allowing for more versatile and safer manipulation of single cells. This advancement aligns with the growing trend of utilizing soft robotics in biomedical applications, offering new possibilities for research and medical diagnostics.
The new technique also opens doors to broader applications beyond cell manipulation, such as microassembly and targeted drug delivery. The ability to manipulate individual cells with high precision can significantly impact various fields, including cancer research, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering. By enabling controlled interactions at the single-cell level, this technology brings us closer to understanding complex cellular dynamics and developing targeted therapies.
The innovation of optically actuated soft microrobots for single-cell manipulation presents a significant leap in the field of cellular biology. By avoiding biochemical functionalization and utilizing deformable microrobots, researchers can achieve precise and flexible control over single-cell tasks. The ability to perform cell collection, 3D cell imaging, and controlled cell-cell interactions with high accuracy exemplifies the potential of this technology. As the research progresses, these microrobots could revolutionize various biomedical applications, offering new insights and capabilities in single-cell analysis and manipulation.
