Soft optomechanical microrobots for non-invasive single-cell manipulation

Precisely controlled manipulation of nonadherent single cells is essential for detailed biological investigations. Optical trapping provides precise cell positioning, but its direct application may cause photodamage. Here, we present a family of soft microrobotic tools, fabricated by two-photon polymerization using Ormocomp, which are actuated by optical tweezers relying solely on mechanical elasticity for cell attachment. This approach eliminates biochemical functionalization, allowing cells to be released anytime after manipulation. Three specific microtools demonstrate the versatility of our approach. Applications shown include single-cell collection, precision 3D cell imaging with minimal fluctuation, and spatially and temporally controlled cell–cell interactions. Our findings confirm that deformable microtools provide advanced capabilities in single-cell manipulation, paving the way for innovative biomedical applications.