Rotation of a single yeast cell using a single linear polarized optical trap. Ti:Sapphire laser used as the trapping beam. Simultaneous rotation of more than one yeast cell is also accomplished.

A 5 micron polystyrene microsphere stuck to the cover slip is moved in a piezo stage feed with a triangular waveform. Laser scattering off the microsphere is collected and used to calibrated the displacements in an optical trap.

 First trap. A yeast cell approximately 10-15 microns is being trapped and moved in the plane by translating the appropriate optics. Next, two liposomes (approximately 1 micron) are being pushed together with two independent traps. Lastly, a rotation of a single yeast cell using a single linear polarized optical trap. Rotation of more than one yeast cell is also accomplished. Ti:Sapphire laser is used as the trapping beam.

A microgel bead being trapped and manipulated by two alternating tweezers. 

Yeast cell rotation with two optical traps, one fixed and one positioned along the vertical axis. Relative distance from the two traps controls the rotation speed.