Acoustic droplet vaporization-induced cellular sonoporation

Abstract

Sonoporation - the use of ultrasound to transiently perforate cells - is a promising avenue for intracellular drug delivery, but current methods are compromised by cytotoxicity and low molecular uptake. Acoustic droplet vaporization is proposed as an alternative method of sonoporation. Perfluorocarbon microdroplets are vaporized on top of a monolayer of HeLa cells, causing transient cell perforation. Sonoporation and cytotoxicity post-procedure are measured through fluorescent dyes. Preliminary results point to high cell viability and more efficient drug uptake.