Acoustic Tweezers Move Cells in Three Dimensions to Create New Structures

Acoustic tweezers may be the next big thing for creating new structures. Scientists have created "tweezers" that can move single cells in three dimensions using surface acoustic waves without touching, deforming or labeling the cells are possible.

"In this application we use surface acoustic waves to create nodes where cells or microparticles are trapped," said Tony Jun Huang, one of the researchers, in a news release. "We can then move the cell or particle in three dimensions to create structures in two or three dimensions."

The trapping nodes are formed by two sets of surface-acoustic-wave generators. When the sound waves from opposite sides meet, they create pressure that catches the positions of the particle or cell. Moving the location where the sound waves meet moves the location of the cell or particle. These standing-wave shifts manipulate the tiny objects in two dimensions.

"The results presented in this paper provide a unique pathway to manipulate biological cells, accurately and in three dimensions, without the need for any invasive contact, tagging, or biochemical labeling," said Subra Suresh, one of the researchers. "This approach could lead to new possibilities for research and applications in such areas as regenerative medicine, neuroscience, tissue engineering, biomanufacturing, and cancer metastasis."

The third dimension achieved with this device relies on acoustic streaming, a type of fluidic motion induced by a standing acoustic wave. By manipulating the acoustic wave, the researchers could position the trapped particle or cell wherever they wanted it within the vertical confines of controlled fluid. This could be huge for future medical applications.

The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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