Laser micro-surgery upgrade to robotic microscope system

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During early embryo development, sheets of cells called epithelia undergo dramatic, self-driven changes of shape in order to form organs and other critical structures. These morphogenetic movements are the consequence of complex, but unseen, mechanical interactions between tissues and, when something goes wrong with them, a birth defect can result. The crucial experiments needed to elucidate how these motions are driven are very challenging to carry out because embryos are typically 1 to 3 mm in diameter and they are extremely fragile. Although my lab can measure forces as small as 4 nano-Newtons, our experiments on amphibian embryos are limited because we cannot make consistent incisions smaller than 500 microns in length. The proposed laser micro-surgery system would allow us to make precise incisions as short as 50 microns in whole embryos and to cut out accurate test specimens. These tests are crucial for learning how organ-forming morphogenetic movements are actually driven and for validating associated computational models we have developed. The laser beam needed to make the required incisions will be generated using a Nd:YAG semiconductor laser. Optical elements will be used to remove unwanted wavelengths from the raw beam, to condition and focus it and to steer it under computer control. Because the laser and its associated optics are being incorporated into an existing microscope system, the required capabilities can be realized at modest cost. We anticipate that insights gained through our research program will ultimately lead to improved strategies for the prevention of malformation-type birth defects, such as spina bifida.