Claims
- 1. A cell guidance method comprising defining a cell guidance path with a light source.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell guidance path is defined by moving the light source.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell guidance path is defined by moving the cell.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein cell guidance is performed in vivo.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein cell guidance is performed in vitro.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein cell guidance is performed in situ.
- 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell is an eukaryotic cell.
- 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the eukaryotic cell is a mammalian cell.
- 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the eukaryotic cell is a neuron.
- 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the eukaryotic cell is a neuronal precursor.
- 12. The method of claim 1, wherein a cellular circuit is formed.
- 13. A method comprising:
guiding at least a portion of a first cell with a light beam; positioning the portion of a first cell such that it is near a second cell; and allowing at least one contact to be formed between the first cell and the second cell.
- 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the light beam defines a cell guidance path.
- 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cell guidance path is formed by moving the light beam.
- 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the cell guidance path is formed by moving the first cell.
- 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the light beam is a laser.
- 18. The method of claim 13, wherein cell guidance is performed in vivo.
- 19. The method of claim 13, wherein cell guidance is performed in vitro.
- 20. The method of claim 13, wherein cell guidance is performed in situ.
- 21. The method of claim 13, wherein the cell is an eukaryotic cell.
- 22. The method of claim 13, wherein the cell is a mammalian cell.
- 23. The method of claim 13, wherein the cell is a neuron.
- 24. The method of claim 13, wherein the cell is a neuronal precursor.
- 25. The method of claim 13, wherein a cellular circuit is formed.
- 26. A cell growth controlling method comprising:
illuminating a portion of a cell with a light source; defining a growth path for the portion of the cell; and controlling growth of a growth cone in a desired direction.
- 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the portion of a cell has an accelerated growth in the desired direction.
- 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the cell is a neuron.
- 29. The method of claim 26, wherein the portion of the cell is a neuronal growth cone.
- 30. The method of claim 26 wherein the light source is moved to define the growth path.
- 31. The method of claim 26, wherein the cell is moved to define the growth path.
- 32. The method of claim 26, wherein the light source is a laser.
- 33. The method of claim 26, wherein the cell is a eukaryotic cell.
- 34. The method of claim 26, wherein the enhanced cell growth is in vivo.
- 35. The method of claim 26, wherein the enhanced cell growth is in vitro
- 36. The method of claim 26, wherein the enhanced cell growth is in situ.
- 37. The method of claim 26, wherein a cellular circuit is formed.
- 38. An apparatus comprising:
a stage to position a target cell; and a microscope to receive a light beam from a light source, in which the microscope is to define a cell guidance path for the target cell based on a location of the light beam in reference to the target cell.
- 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the light source is a laser.
- 40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the cell guidance path is a two-dimensional path.
- 41. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the cell guidance path is a three-dimensional path.
- 42. An apparatus comprising:
a light source to generate a light beam; and means for biasing a direction of lamellipodia growth of a cell based on a location of the light beam.
- 43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is to be implanted within the organism.
- 44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is external to the organism.
- 45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the cell is a neuron.
- 46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the cell is a neuronal precursor.
- 47. A system comprising:
a cell substrate for attachment of a cell; a light source to generate a light beam; and a device to control motility of the cell based on movement of the light beam to different points of different planes of the cell substrate.
- 48. The system of claim 47, wherein the cell substrate is a two-dimensional substrate.
- 49. The system of claim 47, wherein the cell substrate is a three-dimensional substrate.
- 50. The system of claim 47, wherein the cell is a neuron.
- 51. The system of claim 47, wherein the cell is a neuronal precursor.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/333,283 entitled “Optical Cell Guidance Method and Apparatus,” filed Nov. 14, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60333283 |
Nov 2001 |
US |