MRI: Acquisition of a Laser Micromanipulation, Dissection and Catapulting System

University Of Hawaii, Honolulu

Investigators

Abstract

An award has been made the University of Hawaii under the direction of Dr. Stuart P. Donachie for the acquisition of a system called laser tweezers that allows micromanipulation of cells and tissues. The laser tweezers will allow researchers to perform fine operations on cells to study a variety of processes at the cellular level. Studies include ablation of certain cells from algal filaments to investigate the physiology of the cells, trapping of single celled microbes that live in lava caves, transplantation of sea urchin embryos, and manipulation of the nuclei cells in sea anemones. The instrument will be housed in a core facility for use by faculty and students at the University of Hawaii and other nearby colleges. Demonstrations of the laser tweezers will be offered to K-12 students and community college faculty and students.