Automated laser guidance of neuronal growth cones using a spatial light modulator

David J. Carnegie, Tomas Cizmar, Joerg Baumgartl, Frank J. Gunn-Moore, Kishan Dholakia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The growth cone of a developing neuron can be guided using a focused infra-red (IR) laser beam [1]. In previous setups this process has required a significant amount of user intervention to adjust continuously the laser beam to guide the growing neuron. Previously, a system using an acousto-optical deflector (AOD) has been developed to steer the beam [2]. However, to enhance the controllability of this system, here we demonstrate the use of a computer controlled spatial light modulator (SLM) to steer and manipulate the shape of a laser beam for use in guided neuronal growth. This new experimental setup paves the way to enable a comprehensive investigation into beam shaping effects on neuronal growth and we show neuronal growth initiated by a Bessel light mode. This is a robust platform to explore the biochemistry of this novel phenomenon.

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A neurite that has had its shape detected and trajectory to an arbitrary target point computed. (C) 2009 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)682-692
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Biophotonics
Volume2
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2009

Keywords

  • neuron growth
  • spatial light modulator
  • Bessel beam
  • HOLOGRAPHIC OPTICAL TWEEZERS
  • COMPUTER-GENERATED HOLOGRAMS
  • FEMTOSECOND LASER
  • CELLS
  • MICROSCOPY
  • TRAP
  • MICROMANIPULATION
  • TRANSFECTION
  • MANIPULATION
  • PARTICLES

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