Control and manipulation of pathogens with an optical trap for live cell imaging of intercellular interactions.

ABSTRACT: The application of live cell imaging allows direct visualization of the dynamic interactions between cells of the immune system. Some preliminary observations challenge long-held beliefs about immune responses to microorganisms; however, the lack of spatial and temporal control between the phagocytic cell and microbe has rendered focused observations into the initial interactions of host response to pathogens difficult. This paper outlines a method that advances live cell imaging by integrating a spinning disk confocal microscope with an optical trap, also known as an optical tweezer, in order to provide exquisite spatial and temporal control of pathogenic organisms and place them in proximity to host cells, as determined by the operator. Polymeric beads and live, pathogenic organisms (Can

SUBMITTER: Tam JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3013098 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature