Cell cracking: permeabilizing cells to macromolecular probes

The ball homogenizer described here can render cells of diameter greater than approximately 10 microns permeable to macromolecular probes. This approach may be useful for studying a variety of cellular processes which require structural integrity for function, such as secretion. Preservation of cellular morphology is sufficient, such that the approach may be useful for immunocytochemical studies or for immunoneutralization studies with antibodies directed against antigens involved in a variety of cell functions.