A method is described to individually select, manipulate, and image live pathogens using an optical trap coupled to a spinning disk microscope. The optical trap provides spatial and temporal control of organisms and places them adjacent to host cells. Fluorescence microscopy captures dynamic intercellular interactions with minimal perturbation to cells.
Tam, J. M., Castro, C. E., Heath, R. J. W., Mansour, M. K., Cardenas, M. L., Xavier, R. J., Lang, M. J., Vyas, J. M. Use of an Optical Trap for Study of Host-Pathogen Interactions for Dynamic Live Cell Imaging. J. Vis. Exp. (53), e3123, doi:10.3791/3123 (2011).