3D Manipulation of Lipid Nanotubes with Functional Gel Microbeads

• Published in: Journal of robotics and mechatronics Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 198 - 204
• Main Authors: Arai, Fumihito, Endo, Toshiaki, Yamauchi, Ryuji, Fukuda, Toshio, Shimizu, Toshimi, Kamiya, Shoko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 20.04.2007
• ISSN: 0915-3942; 1883-8049
• DOI: 10.20965/jrm.2007.p0198

We developed a novel technique for manipulating lipid nanotubes in 3D space by using laser tweezers in water solutions. Laser tweezers are well known for their use in noncontact manipulation in a closed space. We reported on 3D 6DOF manipulation of microbeads using 3D synchronized laser micromanipulation (SLM), but blur is generated in the microscope image when multiple points at different heights are trapped by scanning the focal point of the laser. It is difficult to manipulate a nanoscale rod-like object stably in 3D space, since the optical trap force is weak. To manipulate a lipid nanotube, for example, we developed an observation system to less image blur by synchronizing the shutter timing of the CCD camera and laser scanning. We thus obtained a clear image of targets at different heights while manipulating them. We then developed functional gel microtools that adhere to lipid nanotubes and succeeded in controlling the position and orientation of lipid nanotubes by using 3D SLM with shutter timing control and novel functional gel microtools.