New Delhi: Scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, an autonomous institution supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, have pioneered a new dual-trap optical tweezers system, addressing long-standing challenges in high-precision experiments involving biomolecules, nanoscience, and medical research.
Optical tweezers, recognized with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018, have become an essential tool in modern scientific research by enabling manipulation of microscopic particles using laser light.
However, conventional dual-trap optical tweezers face persistent problems such as signal interference, complex alignment requirements, and limitations in integration with standard microscopy techniques.
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Breakthrough in Dual-Trap Optical Tweezers Technology
The team at RRI has overcome these issues by introducing a novel confocal detection scheme. In this design, each detector captures only the backscattered light from its own trap, eliminating cross-talk and ensuring independent, reliable measurements.
Unlike traditional systems, the new setup maintains perfect alignment even when traps are displaced, providing consistent accuracy during dynamic experiments.
Advantages of the New System
The advanced dual-trap optical tweezers developed at RRI offer several advantages:
- No signal interference between traps, even when positioned closely.
- Stable measurements under varying conditions, including temperature changes.
- Full compatibility with imaging methods like fluorescence and phase contrast microscopy.
- Compact, modular, and cost-effective design that integrates easily with commercial microscopes.
“This single-module trapping and detection design makes high-precision force measurement studies of biomolecules, probing of soft materials, and micromanipulation of biological samples much more convenient and cost-effective,” said Prof Pramod A Pullarkat, Principal Investigator at RRI.
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Towards Commercialization and Patents
From an intellectual property perspective, the RRI innovation offers a unique approach to employing dual-trap optical tweezers.
The design eliminates cross-talk in a minimalistic yet robust manner, enhancing both precision and reliability. With its plug-and-play potential for integration into existing commercial microscopes, the system is being explored for patent protection and future commercialization.
This breakthrough is expected to empower Indian researchers in fields such as neuroscience, drug development, and nanoscience, expanding the scope of advanced optical trapping applications in the country.
