Macromolecule delivery into hard-to-transefct primary cells via hydrodynamic cell deformation

We present a versatile microfluidic intracellular delivery platform that can deliver large nanomaterials effectively into diverse primary cells via hydrodynamic cell deformation in a novel T-junction microchannel with a cavity. Briefly, a syringe pump was used to inject a cell suspension with cargo of interest into a microchannel at a moderate Re to induce the development of inertial vortices. The recirculating flows deformed the cells, generating transient nanopores on the cellular membrane. This intrinsically cell deformation enables highly effective transport of different nanomaterials into various cell types including difficult-to-transfect primary cells, in a high-throughput and minimally invasive manner.