HATs Off to Holographic Tweezers

Recent advances in holography have enabled significant progress in molecular biology, particularly in the culture and study of primary cells. A new study by Prof Li Fei and Zheng Hairong from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) and Prof Mao Yilei and Yang Huayu from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital introduces an innovative approach using holographic acoustic tweezers (HAT) for culturing primary mouse liver cells (hepatocytes).

Primary cells, directly sourced from organisms, are crucial in cellular and molecular biology research. They offer more physiologically relevant data than immortalised cell lines kept alive under laboratory conditions. However, the conventional culture methods, including 2D and 3D systems, face challenges such as limited lifespan, stringent maintenance requirements, and complex procedures, especially when dealing with primary hepatocytes.