Advances in precise cell manipulation

Research on cells and organ-like tissues is critical in the fields of molecular biology, genetic analysis, proteomics analysis, tissue engineering, and others. In recent years, advancements in precise cell manipulation technologies have made precise positioning and batch processing of cells feasible. Various methods are used for cell recognition, positioning, manipulation, and assembly, often introducing external fields such as electric, magnetic, acoustic, or optical fields into the liquid environment to interact with cells, applying forces to induce cell movement and rearrangement. Alternatively, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology is employed for precise cell positioning and assembly. This review will comprehensively assess the status, principles, advantages, disadvantages, and prospects of these precise cell manipulation technologies, covering single-cell manipulation, multicellular assembly, and biological 3D printing techniques.