Nanotracker

Optical tweezers enable trapping and manipulation of nanoparticles, microparticles, and biological species in fluid media. Now, JPK's unique Nanotracker™ system extends this technology to enable measurement of interaction forces with sub picoNewton sensitivity. In addition, particles are simultaneously tracked in 3-D to quantify dynamics, viscosity, diffusion and host of other processes.

For the first time, dual beam force-sensing optical tweezers seamlessly integrate on inverted optical microscopes combining advanced optical and confocal techniques including single molecule fluorescence in a small footprint, easy to use system.

JPK's unique tweezers technology (also known as a Photonic Force Microscope) enables quantification of molecular, cellular and micro-rheological processes. Applications include molecular motor mechanics, binding/elasticity of DNA and proteins, cell membrane dynamics and particle uptake. JPK's Nanotracker™ is set to revolutionize research in biophysics, biochemistry, drug discovery, toxicology and many other fields.

With the NanoTracker™, the user can trap and track particles from several µm down to 30nm with the ability to control, manipulate and observe samples from vesicles to whole cells in real time with nanometer precision.


NanoTracker™ setup with syringe pumps on Zeiss Axio Observer base

NanoTracker™ technology provides precisely quantifiable and reproducible measurements of particle/ cell interactions. The system delivers precise information about single molecule mechanics and may also be used to determine mechanical characteristics such as adhesion, elasticity or stiffness on single molecules.

The NanoTracker™ is 2008 winner of the Prism Award for Photonics Innovation in the Life Sciences category. Go to JPK's news page

Applications examples

• Analysis of protein (un)folding and function
• Interaction studies of DNA/RNA, motor proteins, carbohydrates with <pN sensitivity
• Molecular mechanics (pulling, stretching)
• Cell membran research such as lateral organization (e.g. lipid rafts)or trans-membrane processes, trafficking
• Cell-particle interaction
• Diffusion mesurements
• Nano-toxicity and drug delivery
• Endocytosis, Phagocytosis
• Cellular assembly
• Local gene or drug delivery
• Viral and bacterial infection
• Bacterial entrance mechanism studies
• And many more

Modes

• Trapping, arranging and sorting mode
• Real-time trajectory data mode
• 3D real space tracking (thermal scanning mode)
• Volume scanning mode
• Force spectroscopy
• Force ramp and force clamp
• Force mapping
• Nanomanipulation
• Environment control with gas, liquid and temp control
• And many more