Abstract: Methods of addressing a biomolecule to a selectively addressable electrode are described. A permeation layer overlying a plurality of selectively addressable electrodes is provided. The permeation layer includes a reactive group that is adapted to bond to a biomolecule and that requires activation through a chemical transformation before bonding to the biomolecule. At least one selectively addressable electrode is biased such that a pH change occurs in an overlying solution of the at least one selectively addressable electrode. The reactive group in a portion of the permeation layer above the at least one selectively addressable electrode is then chemically transformed to an activated reactive group as a result of the pH change. A biomolecule is then bound to the permeation layer overlying the at least one selectively addressable electrode through the activated reactive group.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a particle may be characterized by determining its optophoretic constant or signature. For example, a diseased cell has a different optophoretic constant from a healthy cell, thereby providing information, or the basis for sorting. In the event of physical sorting, various forces may be used for separation, including fluidic forces, such as through the use of laminar flow, or optical forces, or mechanical forces, such as through adhesion.

Abstract: Methods of addressing a biomolecule to a selectively addressable electrode are described. A permeation layer overlying a plurality of selectively addressable electrodes is provided. The permeation layer includes a reactive group that is adapted to bond to a biomolecule and that requires activation through a chemical transformation before bonding to the biomolecule. At least one selectively addressable electrode is biased such that a pH change occurs in an overlying solution of the at least one selectively addressable electrode. The reactive group in a portion of the permeation layer above the at least one selectively addressable electrode is then chemically transformed to an activated reactive group as a result of the pH change. A biomolecule is then bound to the permeation layer overlying the at least one selectively addressable electrode through the activated reactive group.

Abstract: A method for sorting a particle of interest from a plurality of particles includes the steps of determining an absorption maxima of the particle of interest, providing a light source for generating a beam of coherent light at a wavelength correlating to the absorption maxima, providing a plurality of particles on a support surface, and imparting relative motion between the beam of coherent light and the plurality of particles so as to cause differential movement between the particle of interest and the plurality of particles. The particle of interest is then collected.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a method is provided for interacting an optical gradient field in three dimensions with a particle by interfering two beams to generate a plurality of planar fronts, providing a plurality of particles in a medium, and moving the planar fronts relative to the particles, whereby the particles are separated at least in part based upon the dielectric constant of the particles.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. The invention includes methods for separating particles in a medium where the particles having differing dielectric constants by providing a medium having a dielectric constant between the dielectric constants of the particles, subjecting the particles in the media to an optical gradient field, and separating the particles.

Abstract: A method for identifying the inhibitory potential of a chemical compound to inhibit DNA topoisomerase I includes the steps of providing a population of cells, treating the population of cells to different concentrations of the chemical compound, and subjecting the treated cells to whole-cell optical interrogation to determine whether the chemical compound affected any cells within the population of cells. The method can also be applied to identify cells that are resistant to DNA topoisomerase I inhibitors.

Abstract: A method for detecting the onset of apoptosis in cells using a moving optical gradient includes the steps of exposing at least a portion of the cells to at least one chemical compound, moving the cells and the optical gradient relative to each other so as to cause displacement of at least some of the cells, measuring the displacement of at least a portion of the displaced cells, comparing the measured displacement with the measured displacement of at least one control cell that has not been treated with the at least one chemical compound. The step of comparing the measured displacement of the control and tested cells determines the onset of apoptosis. Methods are also provided for monitoring cells throughout apoptosis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a particle may be characterized by determining its optophoretic constant or signature. For example, a diseased cell has a different optophoretic constant from a healthy cell, thereby providing information, or the basis for sorting. In the event of physical sorting, various forces may be used for separation, including fluidic forces, such as through the use of laminar flow, or optical forces, or mechanical forces, such as through adhesion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a method is provided for analysis or separation of a plurality of particles by selecting a wavelength for illumination based upon an analysis of absorption spectra, illuminating the particles with the selected wavelength, considering response of particles to multiple wavelengths, selecting wavelengths based on one or more desired parameters, and illuminating the population to obtain optimized differential motion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. The invention includes methods for separating particles in a medium where the particles having differing dielectric constants by providing a medium having a dielectric constant between the dielectric constants of the particles, subjecting the particles in the media to an optical gradient field, and separating the particles.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a method is provided for separating particles having different dielectric constants by separating the particles in a medium having a dielectric constant chosen to enhance the sensitivity of the discrimination between the particles, and changing the medium to one having a dielectric constant which causes faster separation between the particles.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a method is provided for interacting an optical gradient field in three dimensions with a particle by interfering two beams to generate a plurality of planar fronts, providing a plurality of particles in a medium, and moving the planar fronts relative to the particles, whereby the particles are separated at least in part based upon the dielectric constant of the particles.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for collecting optically sorted particles by providing a first surface adapted to support a plurality of particles, an optical illumination system for subjecting the particles to a moving gradient force to cause the separation of the particles from the first surface, and a second adhesive surface for adhering the separated particles to the second surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a method is provided for separating a population of particles according to size by subjecting the particles to an optical gradient pattern having a defined spatial periodicity and moving the gradient relative to the particles, wherein the improvement comprises selecting the spatial periodicity of the gradient to have a differential effect on differently sized particles.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a method is provided for reducing forces between a particle and a surface in a system for optically moving particles by providing particles adjacent a first surface, subjecting the particles to a first light intensity pattern to effect sorting of the particles, and subjecting the particles to a second force in an amount and direction to reduce the interaction between the particle and the surface.