Micro- And nano-technologies for bioloigcal studies of adherent cells - Delivery and analysis

Despite the risk for altering phenotype or stressing cells, conventional biotechnologies often require cell suspension and replating during in vitro studies. To enable transfection and analysis of adhered cells without these requirements, we have developed novel micro/nano-tech-nologies for longitudinal studies of cells and temporal investigations of cell mechanisms. These biotools offer cell-specific experimental capabilities by achieving localized cell-tool interfaces and, as a result, allow for minimal perturbation to cells and unprecedented spatial resolution during cell transfection and analysis. Finally, we discuss potential biological applications of micro/nanotechnology-based biotools through cell-specific transfection and analysis.