Laser-assisted repositioning of a micro-object and culturing of an attachment-dependent cell in a microfluidic environment

A method of repositioning a micro-object disposed in a chamber of a microfluidic device, comprising:

• directing laser illumination upon a starting position on an inner surface of the chamber to generate an illumination area, wherein:
• the microfluidic device comprises the chamber and a flow region containing a first liquid medium, wherein the chamber comprises an opening to the flow region, and
• the starting position is disposed within a sub-region of the chamber distal to the opening to the flow region;
• and
• moving the laser illumination relative to the microfluidic device, thereby changing the position of the illumination area such that, upon completion of the change, the laser illumination is at a final position, wherein the change in the position of the illumination area induces the repositioning of the micro-object at least towards the opening of the chamber;
• wherein moving the laser illumination relative to the microfluidic device controllably generates a bubble having a trajectory within the chamber, and wherein the generated bubble induces the repositioning of the micro-object.