The Need:

Conventional electroporation methods often result in low cell viability due to heat generation, especially when working with primary cells. These methods also face challenges with non-specific transport of molecules, high vector integration rates leading to mutagenesis, and inefficacy in DNA insertion compared to RNA insertion. Current commercial flow electroporation systems, while offering higher cellular viability rates, still perform poorly for primary cells and DNA insertion. There is a critical need for a more efficient and specific method for delivering bioactive agents to cells, ensuring high cell viability and targeted delivery.

The Technology:

This technology employs electrospun core-shell fibers for ex vivo delivery of cargo such as nucleic acids and proteins to cells. The fibers feature a central core made of an electrically conductive polymer and a surrounding shell containing bioactive agents. The fibers facilitate targeted delivery by focusing the electric field on the conductive core, enhancing the efficiency of bioactive cargo transfer. This method supports passive and electric field-assisted delivery, ensuring precise and effective transfection suitable for a variety of cell types.

Commercial Applications:

• Cancer Therapy: Efficient delivery of therapeutic genes or proteins to cancer cells for improved treatment outcomes.
• Gene Therapy: Targeted delivery of genetic material to specific cell types for correcting genetic disorders.
• Vaccine Development: Introduction of antigens to cells for the production of vaccines.
• Extracellular Vesicle Production: Manufacture of EVs for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes.
• Cell Engineering: Modification of primary cells for research and therapeutic applications without compromising cell viability.

Benefits/Advantages:

• High Cell Viability: Reduced heat generation ensures higher cell survival rates, particularly for primary cells.
• Targeted Delivery: Specific delivery of bioactive agents to cells, minimizing non-specific transport and mutagenesis.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Improved DNA insertion compared to traditional electroporation methods.
• Versatile Applications: Applicable to a wide range of cell types and bioactive agents, including genes, proteins, and therapeutic compounds.
• Scalable and Automated: Compatible with automated control systems for scalable and precise manufacturing processes.

Patent Applications Pending