Optical trapping of isolated mammalian chromosomes

We have estimated the mitotic forces exerted on individual isolated mammalian chromosomes using optical trapping. The chromosomes were trapped by an optical tweezers system created by a continuous wave ytterbium laser at 1064 nm. Individual chromosomes were trapped at different in situ powers in the range of ≈20-50 mW. The corresponding trapping forces were determined by a viscous drag method. In the range of laser powers used, the preliminary data show a linear relationship between the chromosome trapping forces and in situ powers. We have calculated the dimensionless trapping efficiency coefficient (Q) of the chromosomes at 1064 nm and the corresponding effects of trapping power on Q. The value of Q in our experiments was determined to be ≈0.01. The results of this study validate optical tweezers as a non-invasive and precise technique to determine intracellular forces in general, and specifically, the spindle forces exerted on the chromosomes during cell division.

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