Method for transporting substances into living cells and tissues and apparatus therefor
First Claim
1. A method for introducing particles into cells comprising accelerating particles having a diameter sufficiently small to penetrate and be retained in a preselected cell without killing the cell, and propelling said particles at said cells whereby said particles penetrate the surface of said cells and become incorporated into the interior of said cells.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Inert or biologically active particles are propelled at cells at a speed whereby the particles penetrate the surface of the cells and become incorporated into the interior of the cells. The process can be used to mark cells or tissue or to biochemically affect tissues or tissue in situ as well as single cells in vitro. Apparatus for propelling the particles toward target cells or tissues are also disclosed. A method for releasing particles adhered to a rotor device is also disclosed.
1054 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for introducing particles into cells comprising accelerating particles having a diameter sufficiently small to penetrate and be retained in a preselected cell without killing the cell, and propelling said particles at said cells whereby said particles penetrate the surface of said cells and become incorporated into the interior of said cells.
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2. The method as in claim 1, wherein said accelerating is by electrostatic means.
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3. The method as in claim 1, wherein said accelerating is by mechanical impulse means.
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4. The method as in claim 1, wherein said accelerating is by centripetal means.
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5. The method as in claim 1, wherein said particles are up to four micrometers in diameter.
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6. The method as in claim 1, wherein said particles are about 0.1 to four micrometers in diameter.
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7. The method as in claim 1, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of tungsten spheres, glass beads, polystyrene particles, latex beads, ferrite crystals and gold spheres.
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8. The method as in claim 1, wherein said particles comprise biological particles.
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9. The method as in claim 8, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of bacteria and viruses.
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10. The method as in claim 8, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of organelles and vesicles.
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11. The method as in claim 8, wherein said particles or portions thereof have biological activity within the cells after penetrating the cells.
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12. The method as in claim 1, wherein the surface of said cell is surrounded by a substance prior to propelling or while propelling said particles at said cells whereby upon impact with the surface of the cell said substance is carried along with said particles into the interior of said cells and becomes incorporated into the interior of said cells.
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13. The method as in claim 12, wherein said substance is at least one member selected from the group consisting of biological stains, viruses, organelles, vesicles, proteins and nucleic acids.
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14. The method as in claim 12, wherein said substance or a portion thereof has biological activity within the cells after penetrating the cells.
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15. The method as in claim 1, wherein said accelerating is by a macroprojectile containing said particles.
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16. The method as in claim 15, wherein said particles comprise inert particles coated with or impregnated with a first biological substance.
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17. The method as in claim 16, wherein the surface of said cell is surrounded by a second biological substance which may be the same or different from said first biological substance, prior to propelling or while propelling said particles at said cells whereby both biological substances become incorporated with the interior of said cells.
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18. The method as in claim 17, wherein said first or said second biological substance or both or portions thereof have biological activity within the cells after penetrating the cells.
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19. The method as in claim 1, wherein said particles comprise inert particles associated with a biological substance.
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20. The method as in claim 19, wherein said substance is selected from the group consisting of bacteria and viruses.
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21. The method as in claim 19, wherein said substance is selected from the group consisting of organelles, vesicles, proteins, and nucleic acids.
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22. The method as in claim 19, wherein said biological substance or a portion thereof has biological activity within the cells after penetrating the cells.
Specification