Patent ID: 8076124

Claim:
An apparatus for transient biological transformation of a cell comprising: an elongated cell penetrant structure having a penetrating tip with an opening, the elongated cell penetrant structure comprising a carbon nano-fiber core and a sheath present on exterior sidewalls of the carbon nano-fiber core, wherein the carbon-fiber core is recessed within the sheath to provide a compartment within the cell penetrant structure, the base of the compartment being defined by the carbon nano-fiber core and sidewalls of the compartment being defined by interior sidewalls of the sheath extending from the carbon fiber core to the opening of the penetrating tip, and wherein the elongated cell penetrant structure and penetrating tip are of such dimensions that said cell can be impaled therewith without being killed; and a substrate connected to a portion of the elongated cell penetrant structure opposite from the penetrating tip, wherein the base of the compartment is separated from the substrate by the carbon nano-fiber core.