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Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

Published on: November 7, 2013

Highly efficient mRNA delivery with nonlinear microfluidic cell stretching for cellular engineering.

Chan Kwon^1,2, Aram J Chung^1,2,3,4

¹Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.

|February 2, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A novel microfluidic cell stretcher platform uses viscoelastic fluids for highly efficient mRNA delivery into cells. This low-cost, single-step method achieves ~97% delivery efficiency, overcoming limitations of traditional methods.

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Last Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform

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Published on: November 7, 2013

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A Novel Stretching Platform for Applications in Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology

A Novel Stretching Platform for Applications in Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology

Published on: June 3, 2014

Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Cellular Engineering
Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

Messenger RNA (mRNA) shows therapeutic potential for various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases.
Current mRNA delivery methods like lipid carriers and electroporation have limitations including cost, efficiency, and cell functionality.
There is a need for improved, stable, and efficient mRNA delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel microfluidic cell stretching platform for efficient intracellular mRNA delivery.
To overcome the limitations of existing mRNA delivery technologies.

Main Methods:

A nonlinear microfluidic cell stretcher (μ-cell stretcher) platform was designed.
Cells and mRNA were suspended in viscoelastic methylcellulose (MC) solutions.
Cells were passed through a microchannel constriction, inducing cell mechanoporation for mRNA uptake.

Main Results:

Achieved high mRNA delivery efficiency of approximately 97%.
Demonstrated high throughput of ~3.5 × 10^5 cells per minute.
Showcased cell-type and cargo-size-insensitive delivery with a simple, low-cost, single-step operation.

Conclusions:

The μ-cell stretcher platform offers a highly efficient and robust method for intracellular mRNA delivery.
This technology has significant potential for mRNA-based cellular engineering and therapeutic applications.
The platform addresses key challenges in current mRNA delivery, paving the way for broader research and clinical use.