Methods for manipulating DNA molecules in a micrometer scale using optical techniques

Abstract

We studied optical methods for controlling the position and reaction of DNA molecules in a micrometer scale. We used an experimental system equipped with two single laser sources for optical manipulation and temperature control. The experimental results demonstrated that the position and reaction of the DNA were controlled independently. We also succeeded in manipulating DNA inside a microwell. The methods are expected to be useful for developing optically assisted DNA computing in which DNA is used as an information carrier and manipulated by effective use of optical techniques. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.