NanoLab is proposing to develop a new biomolecule delivery technique named """"""""nanospearing"""""""", based on its previously published work. DNA plasmids are immobilized on magnetically susceptible, needle-like nanostructures. These needles can be magnetically accelerated to penetrate ('spear') the cell membrane. The plasmid DNA bound to the nanotubes can be released and expressed in the cells. Two pieces of equipment, called GeneBlender and GeneHammer, are proposed for spearing cells in suspension and on substrates respectively. Theoretical analysis is to to be used for optimizing the system configuration so that nanotubes can be driven to their highest speed for spearing. Different molecular immobilization strategies will be tested to achieve the efficient plasmid loading. Upon ressolving the potential pitfalls, the process will be universalized and packaged into a transfection kit. The development will be focused on plasmid DNA delivery at this phase. It is enasaged for applications in vivo, such as drug delivery and vaccination. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
5R43EB006249-02
Application #
7455301
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BST-Z (10))
Program Officer
Henderson, Lori
Project Start
2007-07-01
Project End
2009-06-30
Budget Start
2008-07-01
Budget End
2009-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$199,582
Indirect Cost
Name
Nanolab, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
153008631
City
Newton
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02458
Yu, Y; Cimeno, A; Lan, Y C et al. (2009) Assembly of multi-functional nanocomponents on periodic nanotube array for biosensors. Micro Nano Lett 4:27-33
Cai, Dong; Blair, Derek; Dufort, Fay J et al. (2008) Interaction between carbon nanotubes and mammalian cells: characterization by flow cytometry and application. Nanotechnology 19:1-10