title: Manipulating the genetic identity and biochemical surface properties of individual cells with electric-field-induced fusion.
abstract: A method for cell-cell and cell-liposome fusion at the single-cell level is described. Individual cells or liposomes were first selected and manipulated either by optical trapping or by adhesion to a micromanipulator-controlled ultramicroelectrode. Spatially selective fusion of the cell-cell or cell-liposome pair was achieved by the application of a highly focused electric field through a pair of 5-micrometer o.d. carbon-fiber ultramicroelectrodes. The ability to fuse together single cells opens new possibilities in the manipulation of the genetic and cellular makeup of individual cells in a controlled manner. In the study of cellular networks, for example, the alteration of the biochemical identity of a selected cell can have a profound effect on the behavior of the entire network. Fusion of a single liposome with a target cell allows the introduction of the liposomal content into the cell interior as well as the addition of lipids and membrane proteins onto the cell surface. This cell-liposome fusion represents an approach to the manipulation of the cytoplasmic contents and surface properties of single cells. As an example, we have introduced a membrane protein (gamma-glutamyltransferase) reconstituted in liposomes into the cell plasma membrane.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Göteborg University, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strömberg
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ryttsén
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Orwar
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Zare
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase