This system component automates the penetration and injection of single cells using a nanopipette.
It‘s low invasiveness enables manipulation of live single cells.
The system integrates with multiple manufacturers’ inverted microscopes.*1
*1 Microscope sold separately.
*2 Experiment by Yokogawa.
Function to aspirate intracellular substances is under development.
Long stroke movements and accurate positioning enabled by combining stepping motors and piezo electric actuator.
Automatic cell detection and penetration with ion current measurement.
Utilizes electro-osmotic flow in the tip of the nanopipette to create a pump effect. The amount of injection is controlled by the duration of the voltage pulse application.
Automatically perform approach, surface detection, injection and retraction of the tip of the nanopipette.
By automating the steps to penetrate the target cell, an injection speed of approximately 10 seconds has been achieved.
Fluorescence was observed in 208 out of 220 (94.6%) HeLa cells where the fluorescent protein was injected (experiment by Yokogawa)
Below: RFP was injected into the HeLa cells, and sequentially observed with fluorescence.
The extremely small tip diameter of the nanopipette minimizes damage to the target cell.
Below: RFP was injected into the HeLa cells, and sequentially observed with fluorescence.
Item | Specification | |
---|---|---|
Basic function | Injection | By electroosmotic flow at tip of nanopipette |
3-axis manipulator | Coarse movement(Stepping Motor) | Stroke:50mm/axis(setting resolution: 0.625μm) |
Fine movement (Piezoelectric Element) | Stroke:100μm/axis(setting resolution: 10nm) | |
Electronics head | Voltage generation range | -10V~+10V(setting resolution:10mV) |
Current measurement range | -100nA~+100nA | |
External dimensions and weight | Main Controller | 260(W) x 99(H) x 280(D) mm, approx. 2.5Kg |
Piezoelectric Element Controller | 236(W) x 88(H) x 273(D) mm, approx. 4.6kg | |
3-axis Manipulator | 280(W) x 220(H) x 190(D) mm, approx. 2.5kg | |
Electronics Head | 35(W) x 27(H) x 95(D) mm, approx. 0.2kg | |
Joystick | 100(W) x 135(H) x 135(D) mm, approx. 0.5kg | |
Power consumption | Main Controller + Piezoelectric Controller | Max 100W |
Ambient conditions for operation | 15~35℃、20~70%RH without condensation |