Piercing the nucleus of a cell without destroying it seems like a technical feat. Yet, researchers have just found a non-invasive method that could revolutionize gene therapies.
A series of nanopillars allows for the temporary opening of the nuclear membrane of cells. This process guarantees intervention without degrading their external structure.
SEM image of a cell placed on the nanopillar array.
Credit: Ali Sarikhani
The nucleus of a cell, which contains DNA, is protected by a very selective membrane. Traditionally, accessing this area requires invasive techniques, sometimes resulting in the destruction of the cell.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed an innovative method based on the use of nanopillars, microscopic structures shaped like small cylinders. When the cell is placed on this array, the nuclear membrane, which shields the DNA, comes into contact with these nanopillars. Their specific arrangement and size create slight pressure on the membrane, causing controlled deformation. This deformation induces the formation of tiny openings in the membrane, large enough to allow the introduction of material, such as drugs or therapeutic genes, without damaging the cell.
What makes this technique unique is that these openings are temporary. Indeed, once the cell is removed from the nanopillar array, the nuclear membrane closes itself thanks to its elastic properties. This natural "healing" process ensures the preservation of the cell's integrity, which is crucial to guarantee that it can continue to function normally after the intervention.
This method opens up numerous possibilities, particularly in gene therapy. By directly targeting the nucleus, it could allow for defective genes to be corrected or genetic diseases to be treated with unprecedented precision.
Illustration of how the nucleus of a cell (green) deforms around the nanopillars and creates temporary breaches in its membrane, which self-repair.
At the same time, drug administration could benefit from this advance. The nanopillars allow treatments to be introduced directly into the heart of diseased cells, thereby reducing the side effects associated with more invasive therapies.
Researchers are continuing their investigations to better understand the mechanisms of nuclear membrane repair. Optimizing this process is key to ensuring its safe clinical application.
The results of this research are published in
Advanced Functional Materials.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND