Vertically Aligned Nanowires for Longitudinal Intracellular Sampling

Abstract

Cells are diverse systems with unique molecular profiles that support vital functions, such as energy production and nutrient absorption. Advances in omics have provided valuable insights into these cellular processes, but many of these tools rely on cell lysis, limiting the ability to track dynamic changes over time. To overcome this, methods for longitudinal profiling of living cells have emerged; however, challenges such as low throughput and genetic manipulation still need to be addressed. Nanomaterials, particularly nanowires, offer a promising solution due to their size, high aspect ratios, low cost, simplicity, and potential for high-throughput manufacturing. Here, we present a nanowire-based platform for longitudinal mRNA profiling in living cells using vertically aligned nickel nanowire arrays for efficient mRNA extraction with minimal cellular disruption. We demonstrate its ability to track enhanced green fluorescent protein expression and transcriptomic changes from drug responses in the same cells over time, showcasing the platform’s potential for dynamic cellular analysis.