Robotic optical tweezers for cell biophysics

Cell migration refers to the directional cell movement in response to chemoattractant stimulation. This chapter reports on a biophysics measurement method of migrating cancer cells by using robotic optical tweezers. A cell migration model was also developed by mimicking in vivo migration using optically manipulated chemoattractant-loaded microsources. The model facilitated the quantitative characterization of the relationship among the protrusion force, cell motility, and chemoattractant gradient for the first time. The correctness of the model is verified by using migrating leukemia Jurkat cells. The results show that the ideal migrating capacity can be achieved by the appropriate choice of chemoattractant gradient and concentration at the leading edge of the cell.