Abstract: A method to selectively permeabilize and/or fragmentize cells. A structure comprising a material and particles able to absorb electromagnetic radiation and cells are brought at close distance from each other. Part of the particles embedded in the structure are exposed to the free surface of the structure. The structure and, in particular, the particles in the structure are irradiated with electromagnetic radiation to selectively permeabilize and/or fragmentize the cells. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a structure for use in a photothermal process to selectively permeabilize and/or fragmentize cells.

Abstract: A method to selectively permeabilize and/or fragmentize cells. A structure comprising a material and particles able to absorb electromagnetic radiation and cells are brought at close distance from each other. Part of the particles embedded in the structure are exposed to the free surface of the structure. The structure and, in particular, the particles in the structure are irradiated with electromagnetic radiation to selectively permeabilize and/or fragmentize the cells. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a structure for use in a photothermal process to selectively permeabilize and/or fragmentize cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns an in vitro or ex vivo method for delivering a cargo into a cell, the method comprising: contacting a cell with one or more photoresponsive organic particles and a cargo, wherein the cargo is not bound to the one or more photoresponsive organic particles, and wherein the organic particle is selected from the group consisting of a polymer-based particle, a protein-based particle, a lipid-based particle, and a combination thereof, thereby obtaining a mixture of the cell, the cargo, and the one or more photoresponsive organic particles; and irradiating the mixture of the cell, the cargo, and the one or more photoresponsive organic particles with electromagnetic radiation, thereby causing permeabilization of a barrier of the cell and delivering the cargo into the cell. The invention further relates to the one or more photoresponsive organic particles as defined herein and a cargo for use in an in vivo method of delivering a cargo into a cell of a subject.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dye for use in a method of photoporation of the inner limiting membrane (ILM) of an eye in a subject. Preferably, the method comprises: administering the dye to the vitreous chamber of the eye of the subject; and irradiating at least part of the ILM of the eye of the subject, thereby photoporating at least part of the ILM in the subject. The invention further relates to a dye and optionally a therapeutic agent for use in a method of treating a retinal disease or a choroidal disease of an eye in a subject.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dye for use in a method of treating a vitreous opacity-related disease in a subject. The method preferably comprises administering the dye to the vitreous body of an affected eye of the subject; and irradiating at least part of the vitreous opacity, thereby inducing destruction of the vitreous opacity in the subject. The invention further relates to the use of a dye for photodestruction of a vitreous opacity in an eye of a subject, and to a method of photodestruction of a vitreous opacity in an eye of a subject, the method comprising: administering a dye to the vitreous body of the eye of the subject; and irradiating at least part of the vitreous opacity, thereby inducing destruction of the vitreous opacity of the subject.

Abstract: A method for generating vapour bubbles in an object comprises introducing a composition into the object, the composition comprising carbon-based nano- or microparticles that can couple with a photon wave of electromagnetic radiation. The method also comprises irradiating said object using electromagnetic radiation. The irradiation thereby is adapted for using a set of carbon-based nano- or microparticles for subsequently forming first vapour bubbles and at least second vapour bubbles using the same carbon-based nano- or microparticles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to increase the permeability of the plasma membrane of cells by introducing at least one cell on or near a structure comprising particles able to absorb electromagnetic radiation. The particles, present in a concentration ranging between 0.001 vol % and 20 vol %, are embedded in the material of the structure. At least 60% of the particles present in the structure are embedded in the material in such a way that the shortest distance L between these particles and the free area surface S of the structure ranges between 1 nm and 500 nm. The invention further relates to a structure suitable for use in a photothermal process to permeabilize cells and to the use of such structure.

Abstract: A method to provide a microfluidic flow comprising a central flow and at least one outer flow, such that the central flow includes a first material and the at least one outer flow comprises a second material. One of the first material and the second material has cells and the other of the first material and the second material has solid particles. The method involves injection of a first suspension including the first material through a central inlet with a flow rate Q2 and injection of a second suspension comprising the second material through a pair of side inlets with a flow rate Q2, whereby the ratio of the flow rate Q2 over the flow rate Q1 is at least 4. A device provides such microfluidic flow and a method is provided to alter biological cells.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one nanobomb comprising at least one first particle and at least one second particle in close proximity to the first particle. The at least one first particle is able to absorb electromagnetic radiation so as to generate a vapor bubble. The generation of the vapor bubble causes the at least one second particle to be propelled over a distance D. The composition is suitable to alter a biological barrier, in particular, for deforming, permeabilizing or perforating a biological barrier. A method to alter biological barriers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition includes particles for use in a method for the treatment of a vitreous disease or a vitreous disorder as a light sensitizing agent. Each particle has a surface selected for or adapted for providing mobility of the particle in the vitreous and for binding to collagen aggregates, such as floaters.

Abstract: A method for characterizing extracellular vesicles at an individual level is described. It comprises obtaining a sample comprising extracellular vesicles to be characterized and functionalizing the extracellular vesicles with plasmonic nanoparticles or a plasmonic coating. The method further comprises irradiating the individual extracellular vesicles with a laser beam and detecting a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy signal from said individual extracellular vesicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manipulation for an identification purpose of a microcarrier. The method comprising the steps of: (a) an identification purpose step of the microcarrier; and (b) a positioning and orientation step prior to or during the identification purpose step. The apparatus comprising means for identification purposes such as a microscope or labelling means such as a high spatial resolution light source, and means for the positioning and orientation of the microcarriers.

Abstract: A method for characterizing extracellular vesicles at an individual level is described. It comprises obtaining a sample comprising extracellular vesicles to be characterized and functionalizing the extracellular vesicles with plasmonic nanoparticles or a plasmonic coating. The method further comprises irradiating the individual extracellular vesicles with a laser beam and detecting a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy signal from said individual extracellular vesicle.

Abstract: A method for altering and/or disrupting a microbiological film is described. The method comprises introducing a composition into a microbiological film, the composition comprising nano- or microparticles having an electron density that can couple with a photon wave of electromagnetic radiation. The method also comprises irradiating said microbiological film by said electromagnetic radiation such as to form a vapour bubbles using said nano- or microparticles in said microbiological biofilm, thereby generating a mechanical force for locally altering and/or disrupting said microbiological film when said vapour bubbles expand and/or collapse.

Abstract: A method for generating vapour bubbles in an object comprises introducing a composition into the object, the composition comprising carbon-based nano- or microparticles that can couple with a photon wave of electromagnetic radiation. The method also comprises irradiating said object using electromagnetic radiation. The irradiation thereby is adapted for using a set of carbon-based nano- or microparticles for subsequently forming first vapour bubbles and at least second vapour bubbles using the same carbon-based nano- or microparticles.

Abstract: A method for determining a size or shape related parameter of an effective observation volume for an observation technique for particles undergoing at least partially stochastic motion in a dispersion is based on a time-series of observations. The method involves determining one or more time-dependent characteristics of the dispersion or its particles based on the time-series of observations, determining at least one stochastic motion-related parameter representative for the at least partially stochastic motion of at least one particle in the dispersion, and determining a size or shape related parameter of the effective observation volume by modeling of the at least partially stochastic motion of the particle movement in the dispersion, the modeling taking into account the at least one stochastic motion-related parameter and the determined one or more characteristics.

Abstract: An optical device is described for irradiating at least one object in a medium. The optical device may be a microfluidics device, and comprises at least one integrated planar waveguide that enables providing sheet irradiation of objects in the medium. A characterization system including such an optical device and a corresponding method of characterizing an object or a fluid are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the manipulation for an identification purpose of a microcarrier comprising the steps of: (a) an identification purpose step of the microcarrier; and (b) a positioning and orientation step prior to or during the identification purpose step. Also disclosed is an apparatus for the manipulation for identification purposes of a microcarrier comprising means for identification purposes such as a microscope or labelling means such as a high spatial resolution light source, and means for the positioning and orientation of the microcarriers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manipulation for an identification purpose of a microcarrier comprising the steps of: (a) an identification purpose step of the microcarrier; and (b) a positioning and orientation step prior to or during the identification purpose step, wherein the identification purpose step is a detection step for the detection of an encoded microcarrier having an anisotropy in its shape. The invention further relates to an apparatus for the manipulation for identification purposes of a microcarrier comprising means for identification purposes such as a microscope and means for the positioning and orientation of the microcarriers.

Abstract: A method for determining a size or shape related parameter of an effective observation volume for an observation technique for particles undergoing at least partially stochastic motion in a dispersion is based on a time-series of observations. The method involves determining one or more time-dependent characteristics of the dispersion or its particles based on the time-series of observations, determining at least one stochastic motion-related parameter representative for the at least partially stochastic motion of at least one particle in the dispersion, and determining a size or shape related parameter of the effective observation volume by modeling of the at least partially stochastic motion of the particle movement in the dispersion, the modeling taking into account the at least one stochastic motion-related parameter and the determined one or more characteristics.