title: Controlled induction, enhancement, and guidance of neuronal growth cones by use of line optical tweezers.
abstract: We report an optical tweezers based approach for efficient and controlled manipulation of neuronal growth cones. The approach exploits asymmetric transverse gradient force created in a line optical tweezers to transport actin monomers in the desired growth direction. With this approach induction of artificial growth cones from the neuronal cell body and enhancement of the growth rate of the natural growth cones have been achieved. The use of this approach to bring two growth cones into close proximity for establishing a neuronal connection is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Applications Section, Center for Advanced Technology, Indore 452013, India.
authors.forename: Samarendra K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.forename: Mrinalini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Mitradas M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Panicker
authors.forename: Pradeep K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002460:Cell Line; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007834:Lasers; D051379:Mice; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical