Micro-Targeting Capillary Ballistic Delivery System

用于将治疗剂、示踪染料、基因和其它物质递送到复杂神经组织、器官型培养物和细胞类型中的方法在其有效性方面受到限制。基于载体颗粒加速到足够速度的生物射弹过程最近已被证明是用于神经系统的相对有效的递送方法。然而，由当前递送仪器介导的细胞损伤和组织死亡使该过程的更广泛使用最小化，特别是对于临床应用。我们的长期目标是与STTR合作伙伴合作，开发一种基于MEMS器件的新型弹道发射系统。该系统将是安全的、可再现的、快速发射的，并且将受控数量的载体颗粒递送到神经内的具有指定空间模式的微靶向区域。 组织和细胞的最小诱导创伤。具体目标是建立一种集成系统，其将我们的原型毛细管弹道递送装置（CBDD）的改进版本（其将递送颗粒加速到高速度）与新型载体颗粒注射装置组合，从而证明该系统用于递送药物的功效。 基因和染料的器官型脑切片和神经元组织培养细胞。该系统的使用将有助于神经生物学家了解大脑的发育和功能， 是医学研究人员用于递送诊断和治疗化合物的有价值的工具。

Methods for the delivery of therapeutics, tracking dyes, genes and other substances into complex neural tissue, organotypic cultures and cell types are limited in their effectiveness. The biolistic process, based upon acceleration of carrier particles to sufficient velocity, has recently been shown to be a relatively effectual delivery method for neuronal systems. However, cell damage and tissue death mediated by the current delivery instruments minimize more wide-spread use of this process, especially for clinical applications. Our long-term objective, in collaboration with our STTR partner, is to develop a novel ballistic delivery system that is based on MEMS devices. The system will be safe, reproducible, rapid-firing and deliver a controlled number of carrier particles to micro-targeted areas, with a specified spatial pattern, within neural tissues and cells with minimal induced trauma. The specific aims are to build an integrated system that combines an improved version of our prototype capillary ballistic delivery device (CBDD), that accelerates the delivery particles to a high velocity, with a novel carrier particle injection device, and thereby demonstrate the efficacy of the system for the delivery of genes and dyes to organotypic brain slices and neuronal tissue culture cells. The use of this system will aid neurobiologists in their understanding of brain development and function, and be a valuable tool for medical researchers for the delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic compounds.