Biophotonics: Optical nonlinear methods to manipulate and process micro scale systems

Many research activities in micro biology are focused on the detection and visualization of intra- and intercellular processes. There has been much progress in the visualization of cellular processes due to the availability of special fluorescence markers and fluorescence microscopes. However, the behavior of the sensitive samples is greatly influenced by fluorescence markers.

We develope in our laboratories experimentel techniques and compact imaging systems for non invasive real time visualization and manipulation of biological objects.

A phase sensitive motion detecting micoscope detects dynamical parts by suppressing static parts. To realise such a microscope nonlinear optical materials like photorefractive electro-optic elements are used. Motion detection can be used to measure fluid fields in micro fluid applications. These fluid fields can either be induced by micro organisms or technicaly like in "lab-on-a-chip" systems. The inherent phase sensitivity can be used for a contrast rich visualization of inter- and intra-cellular processes in real time. The detection of phase changes can be used to measure density and concentration changes in fluidic mixed systems. The main features of the motion detecting microscope are the very small laser powers below one micro Watt and the detection of phase changes without any markers or deyes.

In addition we have realized an optical tweezer with a conventionel microscope to trap and manipulate biological and non biological objects. With optical tweezers particles can be arranged in different ways and with the integrated mircroscope it is possible to observe them in real time.

Both optical systems are used with their real time operation and visualization to analyze the dynamics of living cells.


Contact: M.Sc. Álvaro Barroso Peña