Automated laser guidance of neuronal growth cones using a spatial light modulator
✍ Scribed by David J. Carnegie; Tomáš Čižmár; Jörg Baumgartl; Frank J. Gunn-Moore; Kishan Dholakia
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2009
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 388 KB
- Volume
- 2
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1864-063X
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✦ Synopsis
Abstract
The growth cone of a developing neuron can be guided using a focused infra‐red (IR) laser beam [1]. In previous setups this process has required a significant amount of user intervention to adjust continuously the laser beam to guide the growing neuron. Previously, a system using an acousto‐optical deflector (AOD) has been developed to steer the beam [2]. However, to enhance the controllability of this system, here we demonstrate the use of a computer controlled spatial light modulator (SLM) to steer and manipulate the shape of a laser beam for use in guided neuronal growth. This new experimental setup paves the way to enable a comprehensive investigation into beam shaping effects on neuronal growth and we show neuronal growth initiated by a Bessel light mode. This is a robust platform to explore the biochemistry of this novel phenomenon. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)