Micromanipulation

Micromanipulation refers to the manipulation of microscopic objects, typically at the micrometer to nanometer scale, using tools that provide precise positional control. The field encompasses manual techniques and automated systems and is applied in biology, materials science, and nanotechnology. In biological contexts, micromanipulation enables the handling, positioning, and delivery of cells, organelles, or molecules under a microscope.

Common methods include mechanical micromanipulation with micromanipulators and glass micropipettes, used for cell injection and aspiration; optical tweezers, which use tightly focused laser beams to trap and move small objects and to measure forces; magnetic tweezers, which apply magnetic fields to manipulate beads attached to targets; and electrokinetic or acoustic approaches such as dielectrophoresis and acoustic tweezers that position particles without direct contact.

Microinjection and patch-clamp techniques are specialized forms of micromanipulation used to introduce substances into cells or to study membrane properties. Automated micromanipulation systems combine precision stages, sensors, and robotics to perform repetitive tasks with high throughput while maintaining environmental control.

Applications span assisted reproduction, single-cell analysis, intracellular delivery of nucleic acids and proteins, and the assembly or positioning of micro- and nano-components in materials science and microfabrication. In research, micromanipulation provides controlled perturbations and force measurements at the cellular or subcellular level, enabling detailed studies of mechanical properties, transport processes, and intracellular dynamics.

Key challenges include maintaining sterility and viability, minimizing mechanical and thermal disturbances, and achieving robust closed-loop control in automated systems. Advances continue in actuators, feedback sensors, and imaging integration to expand capabilities at smaller scales.