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Updated: Aug 2, 2026
08:02
Cell Squeezing as a Robust, Microfluidic Intracellular Delivery Platform
Published on: November 7, 2013
13.3K
Ultra-High-Throughput Viscoelastic Squeezing for Mechanoporation and Efficient Intercellular Delivery
Rashin Mohammadi1, Irma Sakic2,3, Ankit Jain1
1Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|November 6, 2025
Summary
A novel viscoelastic squeezing method enhances biomolecule delivery into cells for advanced therapies. This technique offers high efficiency and cell viability, overcoming limitations of traditional methods like viral vectors and electroporation.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cellular Engineering
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Cell-based therapies require efficient intracellular delivery of biomolecules.
- Existing methods (viral vectors, electroporation) face challenges like cytotoxicity and low throughput.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a new method for rapid, contact-free cargo delivery into cells.
- To overcome the limitations of current cell delivery techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized viscoelastic microfluidics to create a 'virtual channel' for cell deformation.
- Controlled flow rates of cell/cargo stream and sheath flow to regulate channel width.
- Employed elastic forces for payload internalization via mechanoporation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful delivery of mRNA, plasmid DNA, and CRISPR-Cas9 RNP complexes.
- Achieved enhanced delivery efficiencies compared to conventional poration methods.
- Maintained high cell viabilities and processed up to 20 million cells per minute.
Conclusions:
- Viscoelastic squeezing is a powerful, efficient, and gentle method for cellular engineering.
- This platform offers significant advantages for developing advanced cell-based therapies.
- The technique shows promise for broad applications in genetic engineering and drug delivery.
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