Nanoscale “Stealth” Probe Slides Into Cell Walls Seamlessly

The ability to probe inside of a cell is of practical interest to bioengineers. Electrical and chemical signals would be easy to observe. In the past, the hydrophobic portion of cell membranes has provided problems to probing inside the cell. Brute force techniques that use suction and voltage have punched holes into the membrane, but these cells are unable to survive for more than a few days. Stanford engineers have designed a probe that can fit seamlessly into the membrane without any apparent problems.

The stealth probe is 600 nm in length and is composed of metal coated silicon. The flawless fusing of the probe with the membrane is due to its design, which aims to emulate natural gateways within the cell membrane. The team modeled the probe after gatekeeper proteins, which choose which molecules move in and out of the cell. Consequently, these proteins are found tightly bound to the cell membrane. The design works so well that the probe will not come out. The membrane will continue to deform when attempting to remove the probe.

This new probe has great advantages over patch clamping (the current technique). The patch clamping method can only be performed on one cell at a time, and the hole it creates renders the cell useless after an hour. The stealth probe could function as a long-term patch clamp, allowing researchers to monitor electrical signals, insert materials in, and take materials out of the cell.

This technology caught my interest because such a technique has wide applications to problems in bioengineering. Bioengineers and biologists have much to gain from more knowledge surrounding the inner workings of the cell. With continued research, this technology may enable us to insert and remove materials from the cell. This is an invaluable opportunity to take full control of applying stimuli to a given cell type.

Jason George
Vtpp 435-502

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100401143123.htm