Show simple item record

Files in this item

Thumbnail

Item metadata

dc.contributor.advisorBrown, C. Tom A.
dc.contributor.authorMcDougall, Craig
dc.coverage.spatialxv, 148en_US
dc.date.accessioned2011-06-17T11:24:30Z
dc.date.available2011-06-17T11:24:30Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10023/1876
dc.description.abstractThis thesis investigates the application of a variety of optical techniques for the manipulation of single cells and their local micro-environment. The methodologies developed provide enhanced control over a single cell under study affording exquisite spatial and temporal control over biological processes of interest. The work presented within the thesis can be split into three distinct categories. The first of these provides an investigation in light activated “caged” molecular probes. This work generated several new compounds which were then applied to providing control over processes involved in pain, mitochondrial intracellular signalling and memory processes in the central nervous system. Application of caged neurotransmitters then demonstrates the first in vitro wavelength orthogonal photolysis of biologically relevant substances. Such a technique has great potential in the study of fundamental interactions within the processes underpinning memory and cognitive function. Secondly the application of optical injection techniques for the introduction of membrane impermeable species of interest is presented. An exploration of laser sources and optical systems has yielded two new strategies for optical injection. The targeted introduction of fluorescent stains, nucleic acids and gold nanoparticles to the interior of live mammalian cells demonstrates the power of these techniques. Thirdly, an investigation in optical trapping and optical injection provides simplified micromanipulation techniqes for application to biological studies. The use of capillaries as reservoirs for reagents of interest has realised a procedure for the reduction of large-scale chemical assays to a single cell level in static flow. When this technique is combined with intelligent control over the trapping laser source’s temporal behaviour, the interaction with the sample under study can be tailored for biological amiability or sample ablation. In this way a single laser source can be employed for the optical trapping and nanosurgery of a biological sample. A final study is presented demonstrating initial results for the targeted optical injection of caged compounds into mammalian cells. This methodology draws on the strengths of optical injection and caging technologies and presents a significant step forward in the level of control afforded over a biological system under study by optical techniques. The studies presented highlight the level of control and flexibility afforded by the application of optical manipulation and excitation strategies. Such optical methodologies extend the photonic tools available for enhanced studies in the life sciences.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of St Andrews
dc.subject.lccQH585.5L37M3
dc.subject.lcshLasers in cytologyen_US
dc.subject.lcshPhotonicsen_US
dc.subject.lcshMicrurgyen_US
dc.subject.lcshMolecular probesen_US
dc.subject.lcshTransfectionen_US
dc.titleAdvanced photonic methodologies for the 'in vitro' manipulation of cellular systemsen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoralen_US
dc.type.qualificationnamePhD Doctor of Philosophyen_US
dc.publisher.institutionThe University of St Andrewsen_US


This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record