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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Published on: November 7, 2013

Poking cells for efficient vector-free intracellular delivery.

Ying Wang¹, Yang Yang², Li Yan²

¹Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.

Nature Communications

|July 30, 2014

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Researchers developed a new diamond nanoneedle platform for efficient, vector-free delivery of molecules into cells. This method significantly improves intracellular delivery, especially for plasmid DNA into neurons, offering a faster alternative to traditional techniques.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Nanotechnology
Biophysics

Background:

Efficient intracellular delivery of molecules and materials is crucial for cell biology research.
Crossing the cell membrane presents a significant barrier to effective cytosolic delivery.
Existing methods like lipofection have limitations in efficiency and experimental duration.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a novel platform for vector-free cytosolic delivery using diamond nanoneedle arrays.
To demonstrate the efficiency and broad applicability of this nanoneedle-based delivery system.
To compare the efficacy of this technique against conventional methods, particularly for neuronal transfection.

Main Methods:

Development of diamond nanoneedle arrays for cellular membrane deformation.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Published on: November 7, 2013

Production of Double-stranded DNA Ministrings

Production of Double-stranded DNA Ministrings

Published on: February 29, 2016

Production of Lentiviral Vectors for Transducing Cells from the Central Nervous System

Production of Lentiviral Vectors for Transducing Cells from the Central Nervous System

Published on: May 24, 2012

Application of controlled force (nanonewton range) to facilitate membrane penetration.

Testing delivery of various molecules and materials into diverse cell types, including primary neurons.

Main Results:

The diamond nanoneedle platform enables efficient, vector-free delivery into the cytosol.
The technique is effective across a range of molecules, materials, and cell types.
For plasmid DNA delivery into neurons, an eightfold improvement in transfection efficiency (~45%) was observed compared to lipofection (~1-5%), with a reduced protocol time.

Conclusions:

Diamond nanoneedle arrays offer a powerful and efficient tool for intracellular delivery.
This technology significantly enhances transfection efficiency in primary neurons.
The method holds promise for advancing basic cell biology research and clinical applications.