Patent ID: 8785177
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: B82Y,C12N

Abstract:
1. A method for creating a transient nano scale opening in the membrane of a cell, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a probe and a cell, the probe having a longitudinal axis and a solid tip end, the diameter of the tip end being from 10 to 300 nm and the cell being immersed in an extracellular solution; b. contacting the end of the tip with the outer surface of the cell membrane; c. following step b), piercing through the membrane of the cell by moving the probe in a longitudinal direction until the end of the tip is located within the intracellular environment of the cell; d. following step c), creating an opening in the membrane of the cell by inducing motion of the tip in at least two directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the probe, the motion of the tip comprising e. following step d), retracting the tip completely from the cell and allowing the cell membrane to reseal the created opening, wherein the cell is substantially stationary during steps b) through e) and the longitudinal speed of the probe in step c) and the first and second average lateral speeds of the probe in step d) are greater than zero and less than 100 microns/sec.