Intracellular delivery

Abstract

A microfluidic system for causing perturbations in a cell membrane, the system including a microfluidic channel defining a lumen and being configured such that a cell suspended in a buffer can pass therethrough, wherein the microfluidic channel includes a cell-deforming constriction, wherein a diameter of the constriction is a function of the diameter of the cell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A microfluidic system for use with a cell suspended in a solution and for causing perturbations in a membrane of the cell, the system comprising:
 a system configured to cause perturbations in the membrane of the cell, the system being configured to suddenly and temporarily deform the cell by applying pressure to the cell, wherein the perturbations are large enough for a payload to pass through.   
     
     
         47 . The microfluidic system of  claim 46  wherein the system is configured to cause sudden and temporary deformation to the cell using a fluidic shear flow with merging currents. 
     
     
         48 . The microfluidic system of  claim 46  wherein the system is configured to cause sudden and temporary deformation to the cell using a plurality of micropillars. 
     
     
         49 . The microfluidic system of  claim 48  wherein the micropillars are configured in an array. 
     
     
         50 . The microfluidic system of  claim 46  wherein the system is configured to cause sudden and temporary deformation to the cell using one or more movable plates. 
     
     
         51 . The microfluidic system of  claim 46  wherein the system is configured to cause sudden and temporary deformation to the cell using bulking materials. 
     
     
         52 . The microfluidic system of  claim 46  wherein the system is configured to deform the cell to a diameter that is 20-99% of an undeformed diameter of the cell. 
     
     
         53 . The microfluidic system of  claim 46  wherein the system is configured to deform the cell for 1 μs to 1 ms. 
     
     
         54 - 59 . (canceled)