title: Optical torques guiding cell motility.
abstract: The main mechanism responsible for cell motility is the stochastic generation and breakup of actin filaments forming the cytoskeleton. However, the role of environmental factors in the migration and differentiation of cells is yet to be fully understood. Here we demonstrate that polarized optical fields can exert controllable torques on the actin network and therefore influence the treadmilling process responsible for cells motility. Through systematic experiments and stochastic modeling we demonstrate that actively guiding the dynamics of large groups of cells is possible in a noninvasive manner.
authors.affiliation: CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biener
authors.forename: Emannuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vrotsos
authors.forename: Kiminogu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugaya
authors.forename: Aristide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dogariu
mesh_terms: D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D012031:Refractometry / Q000379:methods*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D019415:Torque