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Ultra-localized single cell electroporation using silicon nanowires.
Nima Jokilaakso1, Eric Salm, Aaron Chen
1Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden.
Lab on a Chip
|November 27, 2012
Summary
This study introduces a new method for rapidly lysing individual cancer cells using electric fields on nanowire transistors. This technique enables precise single-cell analysis, crucial for understanding cellular heterogeneity and advancing diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Understanding cell-to-cell variation is key to deciphering intracellular processes.
- Analyzing individual cells reveals heterogeneity often missed in population studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for precise single-cell lysis on field-effect transistors.
- To enable rapid analysis of cellular components and resolve heterogeneity.
Main Methods:
- Positioning HT-29 cancer cells on silicon nanowire/nanoribbon transistors using magnetic beads.
- Applying electric fields (600-900 mVpp at 10 MHz for 2 ms) for ultra-rapid cell lysis.
- Utilizing the transistor's fringing electric field to induce irreversible electroporation and membrane disruption.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful lysis of individual HT-29 cancer cells on the devices.
- Achieved ultra-rapid lysis within milliseconds.
- Confirmed cell membrane disruption via irreversible electroporation.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a rapid, simple, and precise way to lyse single cells.
- Potential applications include medical diagnostics, proteome analysis, and developmental biology.
- This technique facilitates the study of cellular heterogeneity at the single-cell level.
