Method for transporting substances into living cells and tissues

• US 5,100,792 A
• Filed: 01/24/1989
• Issued: 03/31/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation Incorporated (Cornell University)
• Original Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation Incorporated (Cornell University)
• Inventors: Sanford, John C., Wolf, Edward D., Allen, Nelson K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacey, David L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beisner, William H.
• Application Number:
  US07/303,503
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 435/172.1, 435/172.3, 435/173, 435/240.1, 435/240.2, 435/240.4, 435/243, 435/252.3, 435/235, 435/6, 435/7, 435/29, 435/34, 435/35, 935/52, 935/53, 935/55, 935/57, 222/630, 604/131, 604/140, 604/141, 604/143, 604/68, 604/70, 424/3, 424/7.1
• US Class Current: 435/459
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/00 Means for application of stress for stimulating the growth of microorganisms or the generation of fermentation or metabolic products; Means for electroporation or cell fusion machines for extracting juice from animal or plant tissue by electroplasmolysis A23N1/006, processes employing electric or wave energy B01J19/08; treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy C12N13/00; methods for cell fusion C12N15/02; introduction of foreign genetic material C12N15/87
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/04 Mechanical means, e.g. sonic waves, stretching forces, pressure or shear stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8207 by mechanical means, e.g. microinjection, particle bombardment, silicon whiskers
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/87 Introduction of foreign genetic material using processes not otherwise provided for, e.g. co-transformation

Abstract

Inert or biologically active particles are propelled at cell 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.

Claims

1. A method for introducing particles into at least one living cell comprising:

positioning the particles to be accelerated, the particles having a diameter sufficiently small to penetrate said at least one cell without killing the cell, and

accelerating the particles to thereby penetrate the surface of and become incorporated into the interior of said at least one cell.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein said at least one cell is a plant, an animal or a microbial cell.

3. The method as in claim 1 wherein said at least one cell is in intact tissue.

4. The method as in claim 3 wherein the tissue is animal tissue.

5. The method as in claim 4 wherein the tissue is human tissue.

6. The method as in claim 3 wherein the tissue is tumor tissue.

7. The method as in claim 4 wherein the animal tissue is selected from the group consisting of epidermal tissue, muscle tissue, bone marrow tissue, neutral tissue, and organ tissue.

8. The method as in claim 1 wherein said at least one cell is an egg.

9. The method as in claim 3 wherein said at least one cell is a plant cell.

10. The method as in claim 9, wherein said plant cell is a meristem or a pollen cell.

11. The method as in claim 2 wherein said at least one cell is a microbial cell.

12. The method as in claim 11 wherein the microbial cell is selected from the group consisting of bacteria, algae, and protozoa.

13. The method as in claim 1 wherein the particles comprise biological materials.

14. The method as in claim 1 wherein the particles are comprised of bacteria or viruses.

15. The method as in claim 1 wherein the particles comprise inert particles coated with or impregnated with a biological substance.

16. The method as in claim 15 wherein said accelerating is by a macroprojectile containing said particles.

17. The method as in claim 16 which includes the step of stopping the movement of the macroprojectile to allow the particles to penetrate the cells.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said accelerating is by a gas.