Applications of laser traps in
cell biology and molecular mechanics
cell biology and molecular mechanics
Author: William H.O. Guilford
Email: whg2n@virginia.edu
Home Page: http://yakko.bme.virginia.edu/lab
Other information:
This was a presentation made to the Cell Imaging Workshop at the University of Virginia in 1998 on the use of laser traps in cell biology.
...or pick a specific slide from the following list:
- Title Slide
- Topics
- The Laser Trap
- How a trap traps
- What properties does a trap have?
- So what?
- picoNewtons
- Uses: Single cells to single molecules
- Example: Controlled association of neurons
- Example: Assisted in vitro fertilization
- Example: Membrane mechanics
- Example: Force generated by myosin
- Experimental Setup
- Step displacements
- Step Forces
- Building a simple laser trap: a guide for “do-it-yourselfers”
- Pieces-parts
- Other stuff you may need...
- Getting the beam into the microscope
- Steer the beam in
- Insert the beam expander
- Hook up a camera
- Align
- Et voila!
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can’t I just buy one?
- What sort of microscope do I need?
- What kind of laser should I get?
- What objective should I buy?
- Detecting movement
- How do I make my trap “steerable?”
- What if I want more than one trap?
- Pitfalls and Limitations
- Refractive index
- Small targets
- Thick specimens
- Stability
- The N.A. quandary
- What is being done at UVA?
- Versatile trap designs
- Myosin mechanics in filaments
- Mechanics and kinetics of adhesion receptors
- Conclusion
