Method, device and system for targetted cell lysis

Abstract

A method, device and system employs particles, such as nanoparticles, and an electric or electro-magnetic field, to cause cell death in target cells by non-thermal means. The method of causing targeted cell death comprises the steps of: introducing a particle to the interior of a target cell and exposing the target cell to a transient electromagnetic field for a sufficient time interval in order to cause cell death. Apparatus for performing the method; as well as techniques of delivering particles and for producing particles are also described.

1 . A non-thermal method for inducing targeted cell death, comprising:
 introducing a first dielectric particle to an interior of a target cell;   positioning a second dielectric particle on, or adjacent to, an exterior surface of the target cell; and   exposing said target cell to a transient electromagnetic field of sufficient strength and for a sufficient time interval to cause irreversible electroporation (IEP) of the cell via field enhancement through the first and second dielectric particles and across the cell membrane, thereby inducing targeted cell death.   
     
     
         2 . A non-thermal method for inducing targeted cell death, comprising:
 introducing a first dielectric particle to an interior of a target cell;   positioning a second dielectric particle on, or adjacent to, an exterior surface of the target cell; and   exposing said target cell to a transient electromagnetic field of sufficient strength and for a sufficient time interval to cause irreversible electroporation (IEP) of the cell, wherein the first and second dielectric particles enhance the electromagnetic field across the cell membrane, thereby inducing targeted cell death.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target cell is a microorganism, a cell of a fungus, or an eukaryotic cell. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the eukaryote cell is a mammalian cell or a cell of another animal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the mammalian cell is a human cell. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the mammalian cell is a cell of a neoplasia or cancer, on or in the mammal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the mammalian cell is a cell infected by a virus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the microorganism is a bacterium and the electromagnetic field is also enhanced across the cell wall of the bacterium. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second dielectric particles has a high permittivity with respect to at least one of a cell membrane of the target cell and an environment surrounding the membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second dielectric particles has a core comprising a conductive metal material selected from the group consisting of iron, oxide of iron, silver, gold, and platinum. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the first dielectric particle comprises a coating molecule that promotes uptake of the first particle by the target cell. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the coating molecule is at least one selected from the group consisting of a ligand, antibody, aptamer, protein, nucleic acid, and peptide species. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein uptake by the target cell is via endocytosis. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the second dielectric particle comprises a coating molecule that promotes positioning of the second particle on or adjacent to an exterior surface of the target cell. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the coating molecule is at least one selected from the group consisting of a ligand, antibody, aptamer, protein, nucleic acid, and peptide species. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second dielectric particles independently range between 20 nm and 5 μm in size. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising varying a strength of said transient electromagnetic field in dependence upon time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target cell is exposed to the transient electromagnetic field by positioning first and second electrodes that generate an electromagnetic field such that when the electromagnetic field is generated, the target cell is within the electromagnetic field. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the strength of the transient electromagnetic field is varied over time. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the strength of the transient electromagnetic field is varied in space, such that a varying field gradient is applied to the targeted cell.