# US 10,119,151 B2 · Methods and devices for charged molecule manipulation

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- Number: US 10,119,151 B2
- Document ID: US10119151B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/103,618
- Filed: 2013-12-11
- Published: 2014-08-14
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2007-07-09
- Assignees: Brigham Young University
- Applicants: Brigham Young University
- Inventors: Quentin T. Aten; Larry L. Howell; Brian D. Jensen; Sandra Burnett
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119151B2

## CPC

- C12N 15/89: using microinjection
- C12M 35/02: {Electrical or electromagnetic means, e.g. for electroporation or for cell fusion}
- C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00)
- C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS}

## Abstract

Systems and methods for manipulating molecular material are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for manipulating molecular material may include positioning an uncharged needle structure in electrical proximity with a charged molecular material at a first locus in a liquid environment, charging the needle structure such that at least a portion of the charged molecular material becomes associated with the needle structure, moving the needle structure and the first locus relative to one another, and discharging the needle structure to disassociate the charged molecular material at a second locus.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for delivering a charged molecular material sample into a cell, comprising:
obtaining an elongate needle structure tapering at one end to a tip, wherein at least a portion of the tip includes a conductive material configured to receive a positive charge;
applying a positive charge to the conductive material at the tip;
associating the charged molecular material sample to the tip via the positive charge at a first locus outside of the cell;
moving the tip of the elongate needle structure from the first locus outside of the cell to a second locus inside the cell, said movement being along an elongate axis of the elongate needle structure in a plane that maintains an angular relationship parallel to a surface upon which the cell rests;
applying a negative charge to the conductive material at the tip in order to release the charged molecular material sample at the second locus inside the cell; and
withdrawing the tip from the cell.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the charged molecular material sample is a genetic substance with a phosphate backbone.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein moving the tip of the elongate needle structure into the cell further includes moving the tip of the needle structure into a particular biological structure within the cell.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the particular biological structure is a cell nucleus.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the positive charge has a voltage of less than 1.8 V.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the positive charge has a voltage of 1.5 V.

### Claim 7

A method for delivering a charged molecular material sample into a cell, comprising:
obtaining an elongate pump-less needle structure tapering at one end to a tip, wherein at least a portion of the tip includes a conductive material configured to receive a positive charge;
applying a positive charge to the conductive material at the tip;
associating the charged molecular material sample to the tip via the positive charge at a first locus outside of the cell;
moving the tip of the elongate pump-less needle structure from the first locus outside of the cell to a second locus inside the cell, said movement being along an elongate axis of the elongate pump-less needle structure in a plane that is parallel to a surface upon which the cell rests;
applying a negative charge to the conductive material at the tip in order to release the charged molecular material sample at the second locus inside the cell; and
withdrawing the tip from the cell.