title: Creating permanent 3D arrangements of isolated cells using holographic optical tweezers.
abstract: We report the creation of permanent 3D configurations of cells, at predefined positions, within a gelatin matrix. The technique used holographic optical tweezers to manipulate individual E. coli within a solution comprising monomer precursors. The matrix was then set and after the laser beam was removed, we were able to demonstrate that the structures remained intact for many days. We were also able to demonstrate that, in the presence of appropriate nutrients, the E. coli survived within the gelatin matrix for several days. The technique could have a number of potential future applications, including the arrangement of a variety of different cell types in complex architectures, as motifs for promoting tissue differentiation and growth within the field of cell engineering.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK G12 8QQ.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: Miles
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Padgett
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blackburn
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Isaacs
authors.forename: Mattias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goksör
authors.forename: Dag
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hanstorp
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Girkin
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D002469:Cell Separation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology*; D005780:Gelatin; D007834:Lasers; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D011137:Polystyrenes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
chemical_list: D011137:Polystyrenes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D005780:Gelatin