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Effective Cell Transfection in An Ultrasonically Levitated Droplet for Sustainable Technology
Takahiro Arai1, Toshinori Sato1, Teruhiko Matsubara1
1Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 223-8522, Japan.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|August 26, 2022
Summary
Ultrasonic levitation enables contactless cell transfection in floating droplets, reducing plastic waste. This sustainable method enhances DNA delivery and cell uptake compared to traditional tubes.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Plastic waste is a significant environmental concern in life science laboratories.
- Traditional cell culture and transfection methods often require plastic consumables.
- Contactless reaction technologies are needed to promote sustainable laboratory practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of ultrasonic levitation for contactless plasmid DNA transfection into animal cells.
- To evaluate the impact of ultrasonic levitation on plasmid integrity and cell viability.
- To compare the efficiency of levitated transfection with conventional methods.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing ultrasonic standing waves to levitate droplets of cell culture medium.
- Introducing plasmid DNA into levitated droplets for cell transfection.
- Analyzing plasmid DNA integrity and cell viability post-transfection.
- Quantifying transgene expression efficiency and cellular uptake.
Main Results:
- Plasmid DNA and animal cells remained undamaged during levitated transfection.
- Transgene expression efficiency and cellular uptake were significantly higher in levitated droplets compared to conventional tubes.
- Ultrasonic levitation appeared to consolidate the endocytic pathway into macropinocytosis, altering cell characteristics.
- Levitated transfection demonstrated superior performance over static and shaken tube methods.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonic levitation offers a viable containerless method for efficient cell transfection.
- This technology has the potential to significantly reduce plastic waste in biological research.
- Levitated transfection advances cell engineering techniques and promotes sustainable laboratory practices.
