In situ patterning and controlling living cells by utilizing femtosecond laser

• Photoinduced surface modification for cell patterning and controlling is summarized.
• Femtosecond laser ablation enables precise living cell patterning.
• Plural living cells are arbitrarily patterned by femtosecond laser ablation.
• Cell-cell connection is demonstrated by femtosecond laser ablation.
• Cell migration is spatio-temporally controlled by femtosecond laser ablation.

Photo-induced processes have high potential in in situ patterning and controlling living cells, whose developments are introduced and recent progresses by utilizing femtosecond laser are described. Photochemical and photothermal surface modification performed by conventional light and nanosecond laser irradiation is summarized and their applicability is considered. Femtosecond laser ablation has superior features due to its photomechanical mechanism, which is confirmed by ultrafast spectroscopy and imaging of a model film under laser ablation. Femtosecond laser ablation of physiological solutions generates shockwave and cavitation bubbles, which is employed for patterning and manipulating living cells. Femtosecond laser ablation fabricating cytophobic and cytophilic domains enable us to form living cell patterns and to study cell migration and cell–cell interaction. Finally summary and perspective are presented.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide