Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences, Volume. 18, Issue 4, 2341001(2025)

Optical manipulation of neuronal mitochondria using scanning optical tweezers

Zhiyong Gong1, Tianli Wu1, Xixi Chen1, Ping Wang2, Jinghui Guo3, Yuchao Li1、*, and Baojun Li1
Author Affiliations
  • 1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, P. R. China
  • 2Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China
  • 3School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, P. R. China
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    Mitochondria play a crucial role in the physiological functions and energy metabolism of neurons, which can help in the understanding of complex biochemical reactions associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. Neurons, being highly differentiated terminal cells, require a greater number of mitochondria than ordinary cells to generate significant amounts of ATP, which is necessary for the growth of differentiated neuronal structures like axons and dendrites and the transmission of electrical signals along neuronal axons. Advancements in imaging technology, electrophysiology, and fluorescence targeting labeling have facilitated the study of mitochondrial movements in neurons and axons. However, disordered mitochondrial movements can hinder their analysis and characterization. Thus, it becomes necessary to artificially control their transport. Here, we demonstrate the utilization of scanning optical tweezers (SOTs) on the stable trapping and precise transport of soma or axon of neurons and enable. The presented method provides an optical approach to the control of mitochondria or other organelles in complex and variable biological environment.

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    Zhiyong Gong, Tianli Wu, Xixi Chen, Ping Wang, Jinghui Guo, Yuchao Li, Baojun Li. Optical manipulation of neuronal mitochondria using scanning optical tweezers[J]. Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences, 2025, 18(4): 2341001

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    Paper Information

    Category: Research Articles

    Received: May. 10, 2023

    Accepted: May. 26, 2023

    Published Online: Jun. 18, 2025

    The Author Email: Yuchao Li (liyuchao@jnu.edu.cn)

    DOI:10.1142/S1793545823410018

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