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Updated: May 10, 2026
08:02
Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform
Published on: November 7, 2013
Physical methods for intracellular delivery: practical aspects from laboratory use to industrial-scale processing
J Mark Meacham1, Kiranmai Durvasula, F Levent Degertekin
11OpenCell Technologies, Inc, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Journal of Laboratory Automation
|July 2, 2013
Summary
Effective intracellular delivery methods are crucial for research and therapies. This review assesses current and emerging techniques, highlighting micro-/nanotechnology and combined approaches to overcome limitations in cell delivery systems.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Bioengineering
Background:
- Intracellular delivery of cargo molecules is a major challenge in biological research and therapeutic development.
- Established physical methods like microinjection, electroporation, and sonoporation have limitations in efficacy, scalability, and flexibility.
- Emerging techniques and advancements are needed to overcome existing barriers in cargo delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and critically assess established and emerging physical methods for intracellular delivery.
- To evaluate these methods based on treatment efficacy, scalability, automation potential, and flexibility.
- To emphasize strategies involving micro-/nanotechnology and combined modalities for improved delivery systems.
Main Methods:
- Review of established physical delivery methods (microinjection, electroporation, sonoporation).
- Discussion of emerging techniques (magnetofection, optoinjection, combined modalities).
- Critical assessment of applicability, limitations, efficacy, scalability, automation, and multiplexing potential across various platforms (in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo).
Main Results:
- Existing delivery techniques often fall short in key criteria such as efficacy, scalability, automation, or flexibility.
- Micro-/nanotechnology integration and synergistic coupling of complementary methods show promise for enhancing performance.
- Advancements focus on overcoming practical implementation barriers for diverse cell types and cargo molecules.
Conclusions:
- Improving intracellular delivery requires addressing limitations of current methods through innovation.
- Micro-/nanotechnology and combined approaches are key strategies for developing more effective and versatile delivery systems.
- Further development is needed to meet the diverse demands of research and therapeutic applications at all scales.
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