The 3BIOT project aims to develop an interactive robotic instrument that allows objects of a few microns in size, such as beads or cells, to be manipulated in three-dimensional space with optical tweezers in culture conditions.
This multi-tweezer system allows the user to exert forces and accurately capture mechanical interactions between cells or objects. It provides an intuitive software environment and a haptic interface recreating topography, texture or feedback force for the user.
Microprinted suspended objects, the “optobots”, are also developed to allow biologists to either :
– manipulate cells while protecting them from prolonged irradiation damage,
– measure the rigidity and elasticity of the cell surface or intracellular force transductions,
– or map the breaking forces between molecules, viruses or cells grafted to the optobot with their receptors on the cell surface.
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