SmallTalks "Detecting Nanomotions of Single Cells using Optically Trapped Nanomotors"

Abstract

Single cells exhibit constant, nanoscale movements called nanomotions, which reflect cellular functions and overall health. Traditional methods that assess nanomotions at the whole-cell level simplify these complex movements into indistinct noise, thereby losing valuable insights into their origins and dynamics.In this study, we introduce a high-resolution method using lightdriven, rotating gold nanorods (nanomotors) in a 2Doptical trap to capture cellular nanomotions. As the nanomotor is optically trapped against the cell surface, cellular nanomotions cause displacements, seen as changes in the nanomotor’s rotation frequency, allowing us to track nanomotions as small as 10 nanometers over targeted regions of the cell membrane. This technique reveals unique nanomotions patternsacross different sub-cellular regionsof human cells. These findings reveal new insights into the dynamic mechanics of living cells, paving the way for studying nanomotions in both healthy and diseased states, with potential for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.