Advanced nanostructures for cell membrane poration

Nanotechnology. 2019 Jun 28;30(26):264002. doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab096b. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Abstract

Nanostructured devices are able to foster the technology for cell membrane poration. With the size smaller than a cell, nanostructures allow efficient poration on the cell membrane. Emerging nanostructures with various physical transduction have been demonstrated to accommodate effective intracellular delivery. Aside from improving poration and intracellular delivery performance, nanostructured devices also allow for the discovery of novel physiochemical phenomena and the biological response of the cell. This article provides a brief introduction to the principles of nanostructured devices for cell poration and outlines the intracellular delivery capability of the technology. In the future, we envision more exploration on new nanostructure designs and creative applications in biomedical fields.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / physiology*
  • Electroporation / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Mechanical Phenomena
  • Nanostructures
  • Ultrasonics / instrumentation*