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Single-Molecule Imaging of Nuclear Transport
Published on: June 9, 2010
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Engineered Nanotopographies Induce Transient Openings in the Nuclear Membrane
Einollah Sarikhani1, Vrund Patel1, Zhi Li2
1Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
Advanced Functional Materials
|July 14, 2025
Summary
Engineered nanotopographic materials can create temporary openings in nuclear membranes, enabling molecular exchange. These nanoscale structures offer potential for novel nuclear sensing and delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Nanoscale surface topographies, including nanopillars and nanowires, mimic natural structures and can bypass biological barriers.
- Current applications include nanoelectronics, intracellular sensing, and drug delivery, with some technologies in clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of nanotopographic materials on nuclear membranes.
- To determine if these materials can breach the nucleo-cytoplasmic barrier and induce molecular exchange.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of various cell types to nanotopographic materials with engineered surface features.
- Microscopy and biochemical assays to observe nuclear membrane integrity and molecular transport.
Main Results:
- Nanotopographic materials induced transient openings in nuclear membranes without cell penetration.
- These openings allowed uncontrolled molecular exchange across the nucleo-cytoplasmic barrier.
- Nuclear membrane openings were repaired via Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport (ESCRT)-mediated mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Nanoscale curvature from nanotopographic materials can temporarily breach the nuclear membrane.
- This mechanism offers potential for direct nuclear sensing and targeted delivery applications.
