Rapp OptoElectronic GmbH | FLUCS Micro Flow Photomanipulation

With FLUCS photomanipulation, the non-invasive and flexible control of microscopic flows, we offer the microscopist a completely new tool to manipulate the sample. Active transport by fluid flows is a hallmark of many living microscopic systems, and the ability to actively control intracellular motion can add an entirely new dimension to life science research.

COOPERATION

The FLUCS photomanipulation system for microscopic flows has been developed based on a close scientific cooperation with Moritz Kreysing and his research group at the Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden, Germany. Patents pending.

THERMO-VISCOUS FLOW

By moderately heating the specimen with a rapidly scanned infrared laser spot, directed fluid flows are induced. By flexibly designing the scan path of the laser, fluid is pumped along prespecified paths in the focal plane of a microscope. For optimal performance in aqueous solutions, the wavelength of the IR laser is optimized for the absorption spectrum of water.

FLOW SPECIFICATIONS

BASIC AND COMPOUND FLOW PATTERNS

Flow patterns are directly defined in the current camera image. The speed of the flow is controlled by adjusting laser power and scan frequency. Temporal control has microsecond accuracy and can be embedded in complex experimental protocols.

APPLICATIONS

• Cell biology
  • Cytoplasmatic streaming: Invert PAR domains in c. elegans embryo
  • Local rheology measurement in cell
  • Probe material properties of centrosomes with flow perturbations
  • Hydrodynamic trapping and force measurement
  • Localized temperature gradients
• Biophysics
  • Intra-cellular transport through advective micro flows, reaction-advection-diffusion systems
  • Hydrodynamic trapping of cells, colloids, or particles
• Microfluidics
  • Flow pumping in micro channels
  • Efficient micro-mixer, time-dependent flow
  • Droplet based micro fluidics
  • Sorting and selecting of colloids, cells or droplets
• Medical research
  • Sorting and handling of individual cells