Introduction
Biologists often need to introduce a wide range of substances into living cells or tissues which are normally excluded from the cell by the cell walls and the outer membranes. These substances include biological stains, proteins, nuclei acids, organelles, chromosomes, and nuclei. One application of central importance is the introduction of the genetic material into cells for the purpose of genetic engineering. There are many patented techniques, which are in use today in modern labs (Sanford et al. USP 4,945,050, Bellhause, et al., USP 6,328, 714, and USP 6,168,587, Loomis at al., USP 6,004,287, Mets, USP 5,240,842, and Dr. Marian Mazurkiewicz, USP 6,107,095).
Micropipette Injection Method
Still another technique is a micropipette injection. Micropipette injection is a very effective method of gene transfer, however, because of the relatively small number of cells that may be transformed in any one experiment, the cost of elaborate equipment necessary, and the level of skill needed to perform the procedure, injection using micropipettes is not a method available to the vast number of researchers in the field.
Nano-Technology
Dr. Marian Mazurkiewicz's invention improves on the micropipette injection method by using a new approach based on the benefits of the nano-technology (U.S. patent pending).
The number of nano-size needles integrated into small size pad can multiply injection action by many thousands time with very high probability for successful introduction. The pad enforced by high number of needles can be fabricated using nano-fabrication technology and made of different materials with required mechanical and physical properties. The number of injecting needles could be as high as 100 to 500 per one square millimeter. The needles diameter could be as small as 10 nano-meter and length could be as long as tenths of mm. The needles geometrical shape and size can be selected for particular application to address the cell's size, the depths of required delivery, as well as injection materials properties. The method and tool according to proposed solution could be use for dry particles as well for as for liquid solid particle suspension. The nano-needles in proposed solution must have ability to absorb biological material into its surface. Injection as it is in stinger needle is available as well for specially addressed design. In one embodiment of the presented method, the pad with array of nano-size solid needles wetted by biological material is pressed against living plants or tissues to pierce through the cell's walls and introduce biological material into numerous target cells during a single operation.