Photogenerated singlet oxygen damages cells in optical traps

Abstract

The origin of photodamage of single cells confined in laser tweezers is determined by comparison of action spectra with these recorded for a photoinduced response of cell populations. Triplet-singlet transitions in dissolved oxygen provide a common cause of both phenomena. Such transitions are forbidden in isolated O2 molecules, but occur in solutions due to the formation of temporary oxygen-solvent complexes. In dependence on the photon energy oxygen molecules may be excited alone or in combination with roto-vibrational excitations in H2O. The photodamage is a consequence of a toxic action produced by the singlet oxygen 1O2 (1.DELTA.gO2.).