MMI CellManipulator optical tweezers system

The MMI (Molecular Machines & Industries) CellManipulator is a powerful optical multibeam optical tweezers system based on the mechanical forces arising from a strongly focused laser beam.

The product enables comfortable, precise and contact-free manipulation of microscopic particles, single or living cells, or subcellular organisms and the measurement of intracellular activities. It can hold, move, rotate, join, separate, stretch or otherwise manipulate up to 2 x 10 microscopic objects simultaneously or separately in three dimensions.

The wavelength of the laser does not interfere with the integrity of living specimens. Cell sorting and cell positioning can be accomplished together with the quadrant detector enabling the measurement of binding forces or viscosities at subcellular level. Due to multiple ports and dual-level laser integration, the seamless use of different modules and imaging technologies is possible.

Other features include: force detection of 0.2–800 pico Newton; good long-term stability; one or two tweezer levels for up to 2 x 10 traps; full control of laser power and focus; precise positioning of each single trap; high modularity for a wide range of applications; a compact laser box and controller; fully automated data acquisition and live data displays; and up-to-date laser safety concepts.

Automated quadrant detector calibrations routines allow routine force-distance measurements — so-called force spectroscopy. A feedback module is available for isometric force detections and force clamping.