Physics Colloquium, March 3, 2009
Mobile Magnetic Traps - Cells on the move R. Sooryakumar

The Ohio State University

Directed and controllable manipulation of fluid-borne cells is gaining importance in a wide range of applications including cellular diagnostics, stem cell sorting, gene and molecular delivery and single cell-based assays. Direct manipulation also offers much more precise selection, and thus understanding of cell properties, than data-averaging over a population of cells. While single-molecule force approaches - such as those based on atomic force microscopy, optical- and magnetic-tweezers - can trap and move individual microscopic objects with remarkable accuracy, there is a need for technologies capable of simultaneously manipulating large numbers of individual cells with directed forces.

We will present a new multiplex approach based on magnetic microstructures - both continuous and digitized elements - imprinted on a surface, to extract and apply forces relevant to individual fluid-borne biological entities. The feasibility of this method is demonstrated with individual T-lymphocyte cells remotely (joystick) manipulated on a silicon surface. In addition to potential biology related applications, other functions that could emerge from the ability to translate, rotate and “hop” magnetic nano- and micro-particles across surfaces with high precision will be discussed.

Dr. Sooryakumar's Web Site

4:00 p.m., Physics Research Building (PRB), Room 1080

Reception at 3:45 p.m., Atrium, PRB