Cell Needles

Cell biologists have a number of ways to introduce new molecules across a membrane or wall: e.g. electroporation, viral vectors, biolistics.  Now, Harvard professor of chemistry and physics, Hongkun Park, has demonstrated how it’s possible to grow cells on a bed of nanowires that act as needles to transfer molecules. A chemical weakly binds to the wires and then molecules of interest (proteins, nucleic acids) attach to the adhesive. Even single cells conform to gravity which allows the wires to penetrate. Inducing pluripotency in somatic cells and drug screening are two possible applications for this approach.    MORE including an exquisite slide show on the Technology Review site.

Image Credit:  Hongkun Park and Technology Review