Force microscopy with arbitrary optically-trapped probes and application to internal mechanics of cells

对颗粒、大分子、亚细胞器或整个细胞进行显微操作的能力是阐明细胞分裂过程中染色体运动和细胞成分进出细胞运动等过程的基础。光学镊子的最新进展使这种微操作接近现实。然而，确定真正的光力对于这项技术充分发挥其潜力至关重要。该项目将开发新技术，定量确定应用于细胞成分的绝对光力，使用摄取过程（吞噬）作为原理验证测试，并测量细胞内染色体运动和囊泡运输的力。

The ability to perform micromanipulation on particles, macromolecules, subcellular organelles, or whole cells is fundamental in elucidating processes such as chromosome movement during cell division, and movement of cell components in and out of the cell. The recent advances in optical tweezers have allowed this type of micromanipulation to approach reality. However, determination of the true optical force is critical for this technique to reach its full potential. This project will develop novel techniques to quantitatively determine the absolute optical force applied to the cell component using the process of ingestion (phagocytosis) as a proof-of-principle test, and measure forces in chromosome movement and vesicle transport within cells.