Abstract
A generalized platform for introducing a diverse range of biomolecules
into living cells in high-throughput could transform how complex
cellular processes are probed and analyzed. Here, we demonstrate
spatially localized, efficient, and universal delivery of biomolecules
into immortalized and primary mammalian cells using surface-modified
vertical silicon nanowires. The method relies on the ability of the
silicon nanowires to penetrate a cell's membrane and subsequently
release surface-bound molecules directly into the cell's cytosol,
thus allowing highly efficient delivery of biomolecules without chemical
modification or viral packaging. This modality enables one to assess
the phenotypic consequences of introducing a broad range of biological
effectors (DNAs, RNAs, peptides, proteins, and small molecules) into
almost any cell type. We show that this platform can be used to guide
neuronal progenitor growth with small molecules, knock down transcript
levels by delivering siRNAs, inhibit apoptosis using peptides, and
introduce targeted proteins to specific organelles. We further demonstrate
codelivery of siRNAs and proteins on a single substrate in a microarray
format, highlighting this technology's potential as a robust, monolithic
platform for high-throughput, miniaturized bioassays.
- /&/
- administration
- animals;
- base
- cells,
- cells;
- chemistry/ultrastructure;
- chemistry;
- cultured;
- delivery
- dosage/genetics;
- drug
- electron,
- genetics;
- hela
- humans;
- interfering,
- luminescent
- methods;
- microscopy,
- nanowires,
- plasmids,
- proteins,
- rats;
- recombinant
- rna,
- scanning;
- sequence;
- silicon,
- small
- systems,
- transfection
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