MIT Develops Miniature Tractor Beam for Cell Capture

MIT researchers have developed a chip-based "tractor beam" that uses a focused beam of light to capture and manipulate biological particles without damaging them. This miniature device, inspired by "Star Wars," could revolutionize biological research by allowing the study of DNA, cell classification, and disease mechanisms in a sterile environment. Unlike traditional optical tweezers, this technology can manipulate particles millimeters away from the chip surface, avoiding contamination and stress on cells. The research, published in Nature Communications, was funded by the NSF and MIT fellowships.