Micro-Targeting Capillary Ballistic Delivery System

递送治疗药物、追踪染料、基因和其他物质进入复杂的神经组织、器官型培养和细胞类型的方法在其有效性方面受到限制。生物过程，基于载体粒子加速到足够的速度，最近被证明是神经系统的一种相对有效的传递方法。然而，目前的分娩工具介导的细胞损伤和组织死亡使这一过程的更广泛应用最小化，特别是在临床应用中。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、可复制的、快速发射的，并在神经系统内以指定的空间模式将受控数量的载体粒子输送到微目标区域

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.