Optical Tweezers: Phototoxicity and Thermal Stress in Cells and Biomolecules

TL;DR

This review discusses the negative effects of optical tweezers on biological samples, including phototoxicity and thermal stress, and explores strategies to minimize damage while highlighting potential positive applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the damaging effects of optical tweezers on biological systems and discusses methods to mitigate these effects, along with potential positive uses.

Findings

Main negative effects include phototoxicity, thermal load, and mechanical stress.

Strategies to reduce damage involve optimizing optical parameters and experimental conditions.

Negative effects can be harnessed for beneficial applications under certain conditions.

Abstract

For several decades optical tweezers have proven to be an invaluable tool in the study and analysis of a myriad biological responses and applications. However, as every tool, it can have undesirable or damaging effects upon the very sample it is helping to study. In this review the main negative effects of optical tweezers upon biostructures and living systems will be presented. Three are the main areas on which the review will focus: linear optical excitation within the tweezers, non-linear photonic effects, and thermal load upon the sampled volume. Additional information is provided on negative mechanical effects of optical traps on biological structures. Strategies to avoid or, in the least, minimize these negative effects will be introduced. Finally, all these effects, undesirable for the most, can have positive applications under the right conditions. Some hints in this direction will also be discussed.