Molecular Manipulation & Analysis Lasers
What are Molecular Manipulation & Analysis Lasers?
Molecular manipulation & analysis lasers in the field of biophotonics are specialized lasers (typically CW) used for studying and manipulating individual cells in biological systems. These lasers provide precise control and targeted energy delivery to enable various cellular analysis and manipulation techniques, providing researchers with powerful tools to explore cellular processes, understand cellular functions, and investigate disease mechanisms. These lasers offer precise control, high resolution, and versatility, enabling advancements in areas such as cell biology, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery. Common applications within this group include confocal fluorescence microscopy, DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, optogenetics, and more.
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Molecular Manipulation & Analysis Applications
Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy Lasers: Confocal microscopy is an optical technique that allows for extremely high spatial resolution imaging by placing two conjunct pinholes in the optical path. Most of the visible wavelengths can be used in confocal fluorescence microscopy, but it’s essential that all confocal fluorescence microscopy lasers (typically CW, low noise, single-mode, visible) have a high quality TEM00 beam profile.
DNA Sequencing Lasers: DNA sequencing or genome sequencing is an extremely powerful tool that allows the identification of the four basic DNA molecules adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T) by tagging them with fluorescence reporter molecules. Like all fluorescence applications, most of the visible wavelengths can be used in DNA sequencing, but it’s essential that all DNA sequencing lasers (typically CW, low noise, single-mode, visible) have a high quality TEM00 beam profile.
Flow Cytometry Lasers: Flow cytometry is a laser-based technology employed in cell counting, cell sorting, biomarker detection, and protein engineering. This technology is used to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of particles in a fluid as it passes through at least one laser. Flow cytometry lasers (typically CW, low noise, single-mode, visible or IR) provide a high-quality TEM00 beam profile, low noise, and high pointing stability and power stability.
Optogenetics Lasers: Optogenetics is a biological technique that uses light to control cells in living tissue, typically neurons. While very little optical power is needed, optogenetics lasers (typically ns ps or fs pulsed, visible) are still the preferred delivery method because of their ability to be focused and targeted to specific areas of the brain. Additionally, several wavelengths in the near-infrared region allow optogenetics lasers to be transmitted through bone and tissue eliminating the need for opening the skull.
Two-Photon Excitation Microscopy: Often called two-photon microscopy (2-photon, multi-photon, TPE microscopy), this process creates fluorescence images of live cells utilizing ultrashort pulsed lasers (typically mode-locked, fs pulsed lasers with NIR wavelengths). Compared to the usual one-photon microscopy, this method offers many benefits, such as better signal-to-noise ratio for clearer images, reduced photobleaching and phototoxicity, and deeper penetration in dense tissues.
Recommended Laser Series
We recommend the following laser series options for Molecular Manipulation & Analysis applications. There can often be a ton of options and many variables. Contact us today for help finding the perfect laser for your specific application!
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