Precise mechanical disruption for intracellular delivery to cells and small organisms

US11685891B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of Colorado · US

Inventors

• Xiaoyun Ding · Tangxia, CN
• Apresio Kefin Fajrial · Boulder, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 15, 2020
• Grant date: Jun 27, 2023
• Expiry date: Jul 12, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N5/16
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a microfluidic poration device having narrow channels slightly smaller than the width of a target cell, wherein the channels are lined with a plurality of nanospikes in a row extending down the middle of the channel, i.e. in a row parallel to the sides of the channel. In one embodiment, one channel may have 2 nanospikes (or 2 nanolancets). Thus, in particular embodiments, the invention provides microfluidic poration devices capable of simultaneously squeezing cells while piercing holes in their membranes for allowing foreign molecules into cells. The holes in porated cells spontaneously close after exiting the channels, thus entrapping the foreign molecules inside of the target cells. This porated cell population has approximately a 95% viability with greater than 50% containing at least one foreign molecule.