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Inductively actuated micro needles for on-demand intracellular delivery
Mincho N Kavaldzhiev1, Jose E Perez2, Rachid Sougrat3
1Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
Scientific Reports
|July 4, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed a novel gold micro-needle platform for controlled intracellular delivery. Remote magnetic field activation enables efficient molecule delivery into cells with minimal harm, advancing drug development and synthetic biology.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Controlled intracellular delivery is crucial for biological research and therapeutic applications.
- Current methods face challenges in achieving efficient delivery without cellular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel platform for on-demand intracellular delivery using inductive heating of micro-needles.
- To assess the biocompatibility and delivery efficiency of the gold micro-needle system.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of gold micro-needles (1 μm diameter, 5 μm length) using silicon-based microfabrication.
- Inductive heating of micro-needles via an alternating magnetic field for cell membrane penetration.
- Assessment of delivery efficiency and cell viability using EthD-1 fluorescent dye and transmission electron microscopy in HCT 116 colon cancer cells.
Main Results:
- The gold micro-needle platform demonstrated high biocompatibility with HCT 116 cells.
- Localized heating by magnetic field application enabled EthD-1 delivery, achieving up to 75% efficiency within 1-5 minutes.
- Controlled treatment times minimized cell death, while longer exposure could be used for platform cleaning.
Conclusions:
- The developed platform offers a versatile, remotely activated, and time-controlled method for intracellular delivery.
- Wireless actuation via magnetic fields presents potential for in-vivo applications and implantable devices.
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