Researchers at Caltech have made a groundbreaking discovery that allows for the precise manipulation of cells using ultrasound waves. By genetically modifying cells to express small protein air sacs, scientists can now easily move and sort cells into intricate shapes or patterns. This innovative approach holds immense potential for cell therapies, complex tissue layer formation, and even in-body cell control using external ultrasound.
Traditionally, handling delicate cells has been a challenging task, with existing methods like optical tweezers offering limited functionality in moving individual cells. Fluorescence-based sorting techniques, while useful, have significant drawbacks in terms of cost, speed, and equipment requirements. In search of a better solution, the Caltech researchers turned to the tiny air sacs found in some bacteria that help them stay buoyant in water.
These air sacs not only make the cells highly visible under ultrasound imaging but also render them susceptible to manipulation with ultrasound waves. The team demonstrated the technique’s precision by creating an “acoustic hologram” in the shape of the letter “R” using a group of cells.
With this novel technology, the possibilities for biomedical applications are vast, from sorting cells for advanced cell therapies to constructing intricate tissue layers on biomaterial constructs. The Caltech researchers have opened the door to a new era of cellular control and tissue engineering, promising a brighter future for regenerative medicine and beyond.
