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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
09:47

Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes

Published on: February 19, 2016

A cell nanoinjector based on carbon nanotubes.

Xing Chen1, Andras Kis, A Zettl

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|May 9, 2007
PubMed
Summary

We developed a nanoinjector using carbon nanotubes for precise intracellular delivery. This system enables controlled molecule injection into living cells without causing damage, facilitating cellular studies.

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Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Introducing molecules into cells is crucial for understanding cellular mechanisms.
  • Existing methods may lack precision or cause cellular damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel nanoscale cell injection system for precise intracellular delivery.
  • To demonstrate the system's capability in delivering molecules and studying cellular dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a multiwalled carbon nanotube attached to an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip as a nanoneedle.
  • Functionalized the nanoneedle with cargo via a disulfide linker for controlled release.
  • Employed AFM for controlled membrane penetration and retraction, with cargo release triggered by intracellular reductive cleavage.

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Localization and Relative Quantification of Carbon Nanotubes in Cells with Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry
14:09

Localization and Relative Quantification of Carbon Nanotubes in Cells with Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry

Published on: December 12, 2013

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform
08:02

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Published on: November 7, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
09:47

Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes

Published on: February 19, 2016

Localization and Relative Quantification of Carbon Nanotubes in Cells with Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry
14:09

Localization and Relative Quantification of Carbon Nanotubes in Cells with Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry

Published on: December 12, 2013

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform
08:02

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Published on: November 7, 2013

Main Results:

  • Successfully injected protein-coated quantum dots into live human cells using the nanoinjector.
  • Characterized the diffusion dynamics of injected quantum dots within the cytosol using single-particle tracking.
  • Demonstrated that the technique causes no discernible cell or membrane damage.

Conclusions:

  • The nanoinjector provides a precise and non-damaging method for intracellular molecule delivery.
  • This technology allows for the controlled introduction of discrete molecules, aiding in cellular function studies.
  • The system offers a solvent-free approach for cargo delivery into the cell interior.