Prof. Petr Timashev, Director of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine (Sechenov University), gave his comments on the Nobel Prize in physics recently awarded to Prof. Arthur Ashkin (USA), Prof. Gerard Moore (France), Prof. Donna Strickland (Canada) for innovative inventions in the field of laser physics.

Within the framework of the project "NobelTаlks @SechenovUniversity" we will discuss importance of their inventions in medicine, and practical use at the laboratories of the Biomedical Park of Sechenov University.

The main invention of Prof. Arthur Ashkin is an optical tweezer that allows manipulating small objects, such as viruses, microorganisms, cells, embryos, by laser radiation. Prof. Gerard Moore and Donna Strickland have created super-intense and ultra-short laser pulses, which will not allow to damage any reinforcing materials. The chirped pulse amplification technique has formed basis for almost all modern high-intensity lasers which are widely used nowadays.

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“It is difficult to overestimate importance of these inventions for biology and medicine. The optical tweezers allow performing various surgeries with such micro-objects as cells, bacteria and even viruses. Based on artificial insemination techniques we may directly regulate sperm-egg fusion. Moreover, the inventions made real millions of vision correction surgeries to be carried out around the world,"- notes Prof. Timashev. 

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The scientists of Sechenov University together with colleagues from the Institute of Photonic Technologies of Russian Academy of Sciences are actively developing a three-dimensional laser bioprinter with an integrated optical tweezer system, which will not print only individual tissues, but also manipulate cells. Thus we will be able to take one big step towards introduction of artificial tissues and organs into clinical practice and overcoming shortage of organs for transplantation.