Cargo delivery methods rely on carriers, for example nanoparticles, viral vectors, or physical approaches such as gene guns, microinjection, or electroporation.
Electroporation is a physical method which harnesses an electric field to open pores in the normally semi-permeable cell membrane through which cargo can enter.
[12] Tissue nanotransfection uses custom fabricated nanochannel arrays for nanoscale delivery of genetic cargo directly onto the surface of the skin.
The postage stamp-sized chip is placed directly on the skin and an electric current is induced lasting for milliseconds to deliver the gene cargo with precise control.
Using various methods, including histology and laser speckle imaging, perfusion and the establishment of new vasculature was verified as early as 7 days post-treatment.
[13] The technique was developed to combat the limitations of current approaches, such as a shortage in donors to supply cell sources and the need to induce pluripotency.
This technique builds on the high-throughput nanoelectroporation methods developed for cell reprogramming applications by Lee and Gallego-Perez of Ohio State's Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department.
Sen (Surgery/Regenerative Medicine) adapted this technology, in collaboration with Lee in Engineering, for in vivo tissue reprogramming applications with Gallego-Perez serving the role of a shared fellow between the two programs.