# Optical Tweezers with Scanning Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy and Microfluidics

> **NIH NIH S10** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2024 · $903,860

## Abstract

This proposal requests the purchase of a LUMICKS C-Trap instrument for a Major User group at the University
of California at Davis. The C-Trap is the only commercially available laser optical trap with combined scanning
confocal fluorescence microscopy and facile microfluidics integrated into a user-friendly dependable, engineered
instrument. Single molecule force and fluorescence spectroscopies have revolutionized cellular and molecular
biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and biomedical engineering studies to answer key biological and health-
related questions. Currently, these tools are mainly restricted to laboratories with dedicated specific expertise
and that have lab-built single molecule instruments. The C-Trap is designed as a turn-key system that allows
laboratories without single molecule force or fluorescence spectroscopy expertise to perform state-of-art single
molecule force, position, and fluorescence localization and FRET analysis at unparalleled spatial and temporal
resolution. Key features of the C-Trap include dual optical traps to manipulate biomolecules with sub pN force
resolution/detection; 3-color laser confocal fluorescence detection to visualize biological processes; accurate
temperature control; micro and nano-stage control for absolute sample positioning; laminar flow microfluidics
that enable high sample throughput and varying ambient media while maintaining molecular interactions; and
user-friendly software that integrates, controls and automates the instrument operation. Importantly, the intuitive
instrument and software interface and automation package will allow non-expert users to run experiments and
collect high-quality data after minimal training.
The proposal is being submitted on behalf of four major users (all with NIH R01 funding), who will utilize the bulk
of the instrument time, and six minor users with either NIH and/or other funding. These users come from five
different departments (Molecular and Cellular Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology,
Cardiovascular Institute and Bioengineering) and three of the UC Davis Schools. The C-Trap will significantly
advance the NIH funded projects of these researchers by enabling high impact single molecule
mechanobiological and fluorescence studies on a range of scientifically important biomedical questions in areas
or molecular motors, cardiovascular function, cytoskeletal filaments and filament binding proteins, cell-cell
interactions, nucleic acid processing enzymes, and protein synthesis. The major users and technical advisors
have extensive relevant expertise with the technology to provide guidance to all users. UC Davis School of
Medicine and School of Biological Sciences are committing significant institutional resources (dedicated space
and operating, service, and maintenance funds) to ensure sustained and effective use. The establishment of
resource will significantly enhance numerous research programs at UC Davis and contribute to discove...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10854194
- **Project number:** 1S10OD036332-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** YALE E GOLDMAN
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $903,860
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-15 → 2025-05-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10854194

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10854194, Optical Tweezers with Scanning Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy and Microfluidics (1S10OD036332-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10854194. Licensed CC0.

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