Functionalized inclined-GaN based nanoneedles

Techniques for the delivery foreign materials into living cells as well as for sensing have undeniable worth in cell biology research. A major barrier for intracellular delivery is to cross the cell membrane with little or no damage. Among the various intracellular delivery methods, one-dimensional nanoneedles are one of the promising methods for insertion with minimal invasiveness to a cell. Most of the previous studies have been conducted using vertical nanoneedle. Here, we synthesized new inclined nanoneedles and demonstrated a novel platform using inclined-gallium nitride nanoneedles (iGaN NNs) to facilitate efficient intracellular delivery. In our system, foreign molecules were successfully delivered into cytoplasm of a cell through the penetration of the cell membrane by the iGaN NNs.