New process for cell transfection in high-throughput screening

This transfection method is characterized by molecules entering the cells through an optically induced process. By attaching the gold nanoparticles to the cells, a photothermal effect is achieved under laser irradiation, which enables an efficient transfer of molecules into the cells.

Many advantages by changing the method

In comparison to the established methods for cell transfection, the risks and efforts can be considerably reduced by the gold nanoparticle process. The use of an optical mechanism also makes the method much more independent from the cell type and molecules used. Also, within larger samples, the transfection can be carried out both more precisely and cell-specifically.

Application tests and method comparisons for customers

Within the course of the project, a large amount of application data could already be collected, and application fields could be verified. The Biophotonic Imaging & Manipulation Group offers testing services for customer-specific methods and questions. Also, methods for cell transfection processes can be compared according to customer requirements.

Follow-up project with new partners

The project has been successfully completed by presenting a functional model. Now, the scientists are planning to continue their work. Methods for use in high-throughput testing shall be further developed and made ready for the market. Presently, the LZH is looking for partners from the screening area to build a prototype in the follow-up project.

The project “Setup and testing of a functional model for gold nanoparticle-based (GNOME) laser transfection in high throughput mode” is IGF project no. 18129 N of the Forschungsvereinigung Feinmechanik, Optik und Medizintechnik F.O.M. (Reseach Consortium Fine Mechanics, Optics and Medical Technology). It is supported via the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations “Otto von Guericke” e.V. (AiF) within the framewok of the Industrial Joint Research (IFG) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). The members of the advisory committee were: Center for Applied Nanotechnology (CAN) GmbH, Cenix BioScience GmbH, European ScreeningPort GmbH, IBA GmbH, LaVision BioTec GmbH and LLS Rowiak LaserLabSolutions GmbH.