title: Optical tweezers for the micromanipulation of plant cytoplasm and organelles.
abstract: Laser trapping of micron-sized particles can be achieved utilizing the radiation pressure generated by a focused infrared laser beam. Thus, it is theoretically possible to trap and manipulate organelles within the cytoplasm and remodel the architecture of the cytoplasm and membrane systems. Here we describe recent progress, using this under utilized technology, in the manipulation of cytoplasmic strands and organelles in plant cells.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK. chawes@brookes.ac.uk
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hawes
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osterrieder
authors.forename: Imogen A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Sparkes
authors.forename: Tijs
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ketelaar
mesh_terms: D003593:Cytoplasm; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000379:methods*; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D015388:Organelles; D059828:Plant Cells