Electrical and optical methods for the manipulation and analyses of single cells

Abstract

This paper describes the use of focused electric fields and focused optical fields for the highresolution manipulation of single cells. A focused electric field, obtained with the use of ultramicroelectrodes (tip diameter ~ 5 µm), is used to electroporate and electrofuse individual cells selectively and with high spatial resolution. A focused optical field, in the form of an optical tweezer, is used to isolate single organelles from a cell as well as to position liposomes incorporated with receptors and transporters along the cell for the high-resolution sampling and probing of the cellular microenvironment.

Intercellular nanotubes: insights from imaging studies and beyond

“…With a method based on the principle of electroporation, 58 a microinjection technique can be utilized to create biomimetic NVNs 22 (Figure 6). The networks are composed of surface-immobilized phospholipid bilayer vesicles, interconnected with vesicles 1–50 μm in diameter and 10 –15 – 10 –12 L in volume.…”