DNA Delivery to Cells in Culture Using Ultrasound

Effective gene delivery to mammalian cells is a necessary step in the development of gene medicines and therapy. A variety of techniques have been developed to enhance the transfection of exogenous DNA into mammalian cells. These techniques include viral, nonviral, and energy-based systems. The most common energy-based system is electroporation. There are drawbacks to electroporation owing to the spacing required for the electrodes. This necessitates the use of special electroporation cuvets to actually carry out the transfection. We have conducted experiments that demonstrate the use of ultrasound to enhance gene delivery into mammalian cells (1 ). The process of SonoPoration^SM involves exposing cells to ultrasound energy. The ultrasound energy enhances gene expression in two ways. First, it creates pores in the cell membrane. This has been demonstrated by uptake of macromolecules and in photomicrographs by Dr. Tachibana’s group in Japan (personal communication). Second, it upregulates DNA repair and the stress response genes in the cell (1 ). This upregulation has been measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).