Nanostructured surfaces that open transient, self-sealing pores in the nuclear envelope of primary and non-dividing human cells. No virus. No electric field. No lipid carrier.
Because entry is a physical opening rather than a carrier, cargo size is set by the cell and not by a capsid — well beyond the limits of viral vectors and electroporation.
Curvature alone. A cell settled on the array conforms to it, and past a critical curvature the nuclear membrane transiently opens — no field, no carrier, no external force.
Cells are plated onto the nanopillar array and left to adhere.
The nuclear lamina wraps each tip into a sharp local curvature.
Transient pores open. Genetic cargo enters the nucleoplasm.
The envelope reseals within about 1.5 hours. Cells stay viable.
of primary cells express delivered plasmid, against roughly 1% on a flat substrate.
of cells nucleoporated on the optimized geometry — 12% on large pillars, 0% on flat.
for the nuclear envelope to reseal, with viability and phenotype preserved.
Flat — envelope intact
Nanopillar — envelope ruptured
Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder
Scientific Co-Founder · UC San Diego
Translational & Commercial
Tell us the cell type and the cargo. We'll tell you straight whether this is the right tool for it.