Oscillating high-aspect-ratio monolithic silicon nanoneedle array enables efficient delivery of functional bio-macromolecules into living cells

Delivery of biomolecules with use of nanostructures has been previously reported. However, both efficient and high-throughput intracellular delivery has proved difficult to achieve. Here, we report a novel material and device for the delivery of biomacromolecules into live cells. We attribute the successful results to the unique features of the system, which include high-aspect-ratio, uniform nanoneedles laid across a 2D array, combined with an oscillatory feature, which together allow rapid, forcible and efficient insertion and protein release into thousands of cells simultaneously.