Optical tweezers with integrated multiplane microscopy (OpTIMuM): a new tool for 3D microrheology

Matheson, A. B., Paterson, L., Wright, A. J., Mendonca, T., Tassieri, M. and Dalgarno, P. A. (2021) Optical tweezers with integrated multiplane microscopy (OpTIMuM): a new tool for 3D microrheology. Scientific Reports, 11, 5614. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-85013-y) (PMID:33692443) (PMCID:PMC7946888)

Abstract

We introduce a novel 3D microrheology system that combines for the first time Optical Tweezers with Integrated Multiplane Microscopy (OpTIMuM). The system allows the 3D tracking of an optically trapped bead, with ~ 20 nm accuracy along the optical axis. This is achieved without the need for a high precision z-stage, separate calibration sample, nor a priori knowledge of either the bead size or the optical properties of the suspending medium. Instead, we have developed a simple yet effective in situ spatial calibration method using image sharpness and exploiting the fact we image at multiple planes simultaneously. These features make OpTIMuM an ideal system for microrheology measurements, and we corroborate the effectiveness of this novel microrheology tool by measuring the viscosity of water in three dimensions, simultaneously.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tassieri, Dr Manlio
• Authors: Matheson, A. B., Paterson, L., Wright, A. J., Mendonca, T., Tassieri, M., and Dalgarno, P. A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 11(1):5614
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
301441		Experiencing the micro-world - a cell's perspective	Manlio Tassieri	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/R035067/1	ENG - Biomedical Engineering