title: Nanostraw-electroporation system for highly efficient intracellular delivery and transfection.
abstract: Nondestructive introduction of genes, proteins, and small molecules into mammalian cells with high efficiency is a challenging, yet critical, process. Here we demonstrate a simple nanoelectroporation platform to achieve highly efficient molecular delivery and high transfection yields with excellent uniformity and cell viability. The system is built on alumina nanostraws extending from a track-etched membrane, forming an array of hollow nanowires connected to an underlying microfluidic channel. Cellular engulfment of the nanostraws provides an intimate contact, significantly reducing the necessary electroporation voltage and increasing homogeneity over a large area. Biomolecule delivery is achieved by diffusion through the nanostraws and enhanced by electrophoresis during pulsing. The system was demonstrated to offer excellent spatial, temporal, and dose control for delivery, as well as providing high-yield cotransfection and sequential transfection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leal-Ortiz
authors.forename: Yuhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Craig C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Garner
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Melosh
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D016466:CHO Cells; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004560:Electricity; D018274:Electroporation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000537:Aluminum Oxide