Method for molecular delivery into cells using naonotube spearing

• US 20090311767A1
• Filed: 04/21/2006
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomas C. Chiles
• Original Assignee: Thomas C. Chiles
• Inventors: Chiles, Thomas C.
• Application Number:
  US11/919,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20090311767A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/173.400
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/04 Mechanical means, e.g. sonic waves, stretching forces, pressure or shear stimuli

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method of delivering a macromolecule to a cell, comprising engaging the macromolecule to a nanotube wherein the nanotube comprises a magnetic particle, placing the nanotubes into a sample wherein the sample comprises a plurality of cells and applying a force to the sample wherein the force causes the nanotubes to collide with the cells and thereby spear the cells. The method further discloses applying a second force which drives the nanotubes into the cell. Furthermore, the invention discloses a method of transfecting and/or transducing a cell, comprising engaging a macromolecule to a nanotube, placing the nanotubes into communication with the cells and applying a force to the nanotubes which causes the nanotubes to collide with the cells and thereby pierce the cellular membrane. Once inside the cell, the macromolecule may disengage from the nanotube.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a macromolecule to a B cell comprising:

engaging a macromolecule to at least one nanotube wherein the nanotube comprises a magnetic particle;

placing the nanotubes into a sample wherein the sample comprises a plurality of cells;

applying a force to the sample wherein the force causes the nanotubes to collide with the cells to spear the cells; and

applying a second force which drives the nanotubes into the cell.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell is a Bal17 B-lymphoma cell.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell is an ex vivo primary B cell.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell is a primary cell.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell is a human B cell.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the macromolecule is DNA.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the macromolecule is RNAi.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the macromolecule is a protein.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the macromolecule is a DNA plasmid.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the DNA plasmid encodes for an enhanced green fluorescent protein.

11. A method of transfecting a B cell comprising:

engaging a macromolecule to at least one nanotube wherein the nanotube comprises a magnetic particle;

placing the nanotubes into a sample wherein the sample comprises a plurality of cells;

applying a force to the sample wherein the force causes the nanotubes to collide with the cells to spear the cells;

applying a second force which drives the nanotubes into the cells; and

disengaging the macromolecule from the nanotube.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the magnetic particle comprises nickel.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first force is generated by a magnet.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the cell is a Bal17 B-lymphoma cell.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the cell is an ex vivo primary B cell.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the cell is a primary cell.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the macromolecule is DNA.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the macromolecule is RNAi.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the macromolecule is a protein.

20. A method of transducing a B cell comprising:

engaging a macromolecule to a nanotube wherein the nanotube comprises a magnetic particle;

placing the nanotubes into communication with a plurality of cells;

applying a force to the nanotubes which causes the nanotubes to collide with the cells and pierce the cellular membrane; and

disengaging the macromolecule from the nanotube.

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