Researchers develop nanoneedle to deliver quantum dots to cell nucleus

Researchers from the University of Illinois have recently developed a nanoneedle with the purpose of delivering a shot of quantum dots to a cell's nucleus. Quantum dots are "nanoparticles that can be used to monitor microscopic processes and cellular conditions." Quantum dots are important because they are of smaller size and can be easily tracked, which is why this nanoneedle is so important to the medical field. A professor from mechanical science and engineering, professor Min-Feng Yu wrote "lots of people rely on quantum dots to monitor biological processes and gain information about the cellular enviroment. But getting quantum dots into a cell for advanced applications is a problem." Also, the nucleus is very difficult for any molecule to enter because it is surrounded by a membrane preventing this from happening so professor Yu worked along side other professors to develop the nanoneedle that could penetrate the nucleus by serving as an electrode. This allows very specific penetration by the needle into the nucleus and helps researchers understand the physical conditions inside the nucleus by tracking the quantum dots injected with a fluorescent microscope.

The professors created a nanoscale electrode probe by coating a 50nm wide nanotube with a thin layer of gold. They loaded the needle with quantum dots and released the quantum dots from the needle by a small electrical charge. No other molecule delivery methods have shown accuracy like the nanoneedle. Professor Yu comments that we can "now use the electrical potential to control the release of the molecules attached on the probe. We can insert the nanoneedle in a specific location and wait for a specific point in a biologic process, and then release the quantum dots. Previous techniques cannot do that." The nanoneedle also has an advantage with its size by causing less damage to the cell being injected.

The team hopes for new findings with the nanoneedle in the near future and are still working to refine its function as an electrode and as a molecular delivery system. I found this article very interesting because when treating or diagnosing a patient, minimal damage to the affected area is usually the goal, which is the direction Yu and his team are moving with the nanoneedle. It also opens up new opportunities to study the nucleus in target areas that we have not been able to do before. This can result in better diagnostics and observations from researchers studying the nucleus. I am anxious to find out how the team continues to develop the needle and find more uses for it like delivering other types of molecules.