Nano‐biophotonics using new light‐driven tools

The sci‐fi inspired miniaturization of full‐scale robotic manipulation down to the mesoscopic scale regime opens new doors for exploiting the forces of photons for micro‐ and nanobiologic probing, actuation and control [1‐3]. A generic approach for optimizing light‐matter interaction on these scales involves the combination of optimal light‐sculpting [4] with the use of optimized shapes in micro‐ and nano‐robotic structures [5]. Micro‐fabrication processes such as two‐photon photo‐polymerization offer three‐dimensional resolutions for crafting custom‐designed monolithic microstructures that can be equipped with optical trapping handles for convenient opto‐mechanical control using only optical forces [6].