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Blázquez-Castro A, Fernández-Piqueras J, Santos J. Genetic Material Manipulation and Modification by Optical Trapping and Nanosurgery-A Perspective. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:580937. [PMID: 33072730 PMCID: PMC7530750 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.580937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Light can be employed as a tool to alter and manipulate matter in many ways. An example has been the implementation of optical trapping, the so called optical tweezers, in which light can hold and move small objects with 3D control. Of interest for the Life Sciences and Biotechnology is the fact that biological objects in the size range from tens of nanometers to hundreds of microns can be precisely manipulated through this technology. In particular, it has been shown possible to optically trap and move genetic material (DNA and chromatin) using optical tweezers. Also, these biological entities can be severed, rearranged and reconstructed by the combined use of laser scissors and optical tweezers. In this review, the background, current state and future possibilities of optical tweezers and laser scissors to manipulate, rearrange and alter genetic material (DNA, chromatin and chromosomes) will be presented. Sources of undesirable effects by the optical procedure and measures to avoid them will be discussed. In addition, first tentative approaches at cellular-level genetic and organelle surgery, in which genetic material or DNA-carrying organelles are extracted out or introduced into cells, will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Blázquez-Castro
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Genome Dynamics and Function Program, Genome Decoding Unit, Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO), CSIC-Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Fernández-Piqueras
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Genome Dynamics and Function Program, Genome Decoding Unit, Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO), CSIC-Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Institute of Health Research Jiménez Diaz Foundation, Madrid, Spain.,Consortium for Biomedical Research in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Santos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Genome Dynamics and Function Program, Genome Decoding Unit, Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO), CSIC-Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Institute of Health Research Jiménez Diaz Foundation, Madrid, Spain.,Consortium for Biomedical Research in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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Greulich KO. Manipulation of cells with laser microbeam scissors and optical tweezers: a review. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2017; 80:026601. [PMID: 28008877 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/80/2/026601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The use of laser microbeams and optical tweezers in a wide field of biological applications from genomic to immunology is discussed. Microperforation is used to introduce a well-defined amount of molecules into cells for genetic engineering and optical imaging. The microwelding of two cells induced by a laser microbeam combines their genetic outfit. Microdissection allows specific regions of genomes to be isolated from a whole set of chromosomes. Handling the cells with optical tweezers supports investigation on the attack of immune systems against diseased or cancerous cells. With the help of laser microbeams, heart infarction can be simulated, and optical tweezers support studies on the heartbeat. Finally, laser microbeams are used to induce DNA damage in living cells for studies on cancer and ageing.
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