BioPhotonics Workstation: A university tech transfer challenge

Conventional optical trapping or tweezing is often limited in the achievable trapping range because of high numerical aperture and imaging requirements. To circumvent this, we are developing a next generation BioPhotonics Workstation platform that supports extension modules through a long working distance geometry. This geometry provides three dimensional and real time manipulation of a plurality of traps facilitating precise control and a rapid response in all sorts of optical manipulation undertakings. We present ongoing research and development activities for constructing a compact next generation BioPhotonics Workstation to be applied in three-dimensional studies on regulated microbial cell growth including their underlying physiological mechanisms, in vivo characterization of cell constituents and manufacturing of nanostructures and new materials. © 2011 SPIE.