Use of microwave irradiation for delivery of macromolecules
AssigneeThe Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority
InventorsQi Long Lu, Pei Juan Lu
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods of delivering macromolecules to a target cell or tissue by microwave irradiation. A target cell or tissue is exposed to one or more macromolecules to be delivered into the desired cell or tissue and irradiated with microwave radiation. The strength or power of the microwave radiation is such that the macromolecules are delivered into the target cell or tissue. Preferably, the strength of the microwave radiation does not significantly impact cell viability in a negative manner (e.g., apoptosis).
Claims23
A method of delivering macromolecules into a target cell or tissue, comprising:
- (i) exposing a target cell or tissue to at least one macromolecule;
- (ii) irradiating the target cell or tissue with microwave radiation to increase the transmembrane diffusive permeability of the target cell or tissue such that the at least one macromolecule can be inserted into the target cell or tissue;
- and
- (iii) inserting the at least one macromolecule into the target cell or tissue.
The method of 1, wherein the targeted cell or tissue comprises the entire living organism, such that the at least one macromolecule is systemically delivered.
A method of delivering macromolecules to a target cell, comprising:
- (i) providing a cell culture comprising a target cell in a suitable culture medium;
- (ii) adding at least one macromolecule into the cell culture;
- and
- (iii) exposing the cell culture to microwave radiation to increase the transmembrane diffusive permeability of the target cell such that the at least one macromolecule can be inserted into the target cell;
- and
- (iv) inserting at least one macromolecule into the target cell.
A method of delivering macromolecules to a target cell or tissue on or within a living organism, comprising:
- (i) administering at least one macromolecule into or near the target cell or tissue;
- (ii) exposing the target cell or tissue to microwave radiation to increase the transmembrane diffusive permeability of the target cell such that the at least one macromolecule can be inserted into the target cell or tissue;
- and
- (iii) inserting the at least one macromolecule into the target cell or tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.