title: Highly efficient molecular delivery into mammalian cells using carbon nanotube spearing.
abstract: Introduction of exogenous DNA into mammalian cells represents a powerful approach for manipulating signal transduction. The available techniques, however, are limited by low transduction efficiency and low cell viability after transduction. Here we report a highly efficient molecular delivery technique, named nanotube spearing, based on the penetration of nickel-embedded nanotubes into cell membranes by magnetic field driving. DNA plasmids containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) sequence were immobilized onto the nanotubes, and subsequently speared into targeted cells. We have achieved an unprecedented high transduction efficiency in Bal17 B-lymphoma, ex vivo B cells and primary neurons with high viability after transduction. This technique may provide a powerful tool for highly efficient gene transfer into a variety of cells, especially the hard-to-transfect cells.
authors.affiliation: NanoLab, Inc., Newton, Massachusetts 02458, USA. dongcai@nano-lab.com
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mataraza
authors.forename: Zheng-Hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Zhongping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jianyu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chiles
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carnahan
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kempa
authors.forename: Zhifeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D004247:DNA