title: Integrated holographic system for all-optical manipulation of developing embryos.
abstract: We demonstrate a system for the combined optical injection and trapping of developing embryos. A Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser in tandem with a spatial light modulator, is used to perform fast and accurate beam-steering and multiplexing. We show successful intracellular delivery of a range of impermeable molecules into individual blastomeres of the annelid Pomatoceros lamarckii embryo by optoinjection, even when the embryo is still enclosed in a chorion. We also demonstrate the ability of the femtosecond laser optoinjection to deliver materials into inner layers of cells in a well-developed embryo. By switching to the continuous wave mode of the Ti:sapphire laser, the same system can be employed to optically trap and orient the 60 μm sized P. lamarckii embryo whilst maintaining its viability. Hence, a complete all-optical manipulation platform is demonstrated paving the way towards single-cell genetic modification and cell lineage mapping in emerging developmental biology model species.
authors.forename: Maria Leilani
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Torres-Mapa
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antkowiak
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cizmarova
authors.forename: David E K
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ferrier
authors.forename: Kishan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dholakia
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Gunn-Moore