Gene delivery in mice using an implanted pneumatically-actuated microsystem

We have developed a pneumatically-actuated microsystem for gene delivery (nucleic acid transfection) to a target tissue in mice by tissue pressure-mediated transfection method. Our system which is fabricated by MEMS batch process is small enough to be implanted in a mouse and inexpensive enough to be used disposably. The system consists of a PDMS-pneumatic balloon actuator (PBA). The properties of the PBA, such as large deformation and soft, realize to press a target tissue in mice precisely and safely to deliver the genes repeatedly with a minimal invasion. In this study, the system was implanted in a mouse, actuated by 60 kPa of air pressure from outside the body, and realized effective in vivo transfection to its kidney. As far as we know, this is the first study which demonstrated a significance of the PBA as an implanted device for gene delivery.