Microdevice-based delivery of gene products using sonoporation

This paper presents a proof-of-concept miniature device for delivery of antisense oligonucleotides (ASO). A piezoelectric, lead zirconate titanate (PZT) plate (0.5 cm2 × 0.75 mm) is used to transfect cells using cavitation-induced sonoporation. Both human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human prostate cancer cells (PC3) are investigated in vitro. Preliminary results show that after sonication, the transfection rate for HUVEC increases by 96% compared to controls (p < 0.01). For PC3, the transfection rate increases by 31% compared to controls (p < 0.02). This research can potentially be applied in realizing a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based device for gene therapy in cancer treatment.