Transient transfection of mammalian cells using a violet diode laser

Photoporation is the use of tightly focused laser light to perforate the cellular membrane and allow exogenous material to be taken up by the cell. This technique has become increasingly popular due to its simplicity, robustness and efficiency. Most of its applications are predominantly, but not limited to, the delivery of nucleic acids such as plasmid DNA and messenger RNA to intracellular compartments. Aside from genetic material, dyes, nanoparticles and possibly quantum dots can also be injected to the cells which can be useful for monitoring gene or drug activity.