Acoustic propulsion of nanorod motors inside living cells

Wei Wang, Sixing Li, Lamar Mair, Suzanne Ahmed, Tony Jun Huang, Thomas E. Mallouk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

310 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ultrasonic propulsion of rod-shaped nanomotors inside living HeLa cells is demonstrated. These nanomotors (gold rods about 300 nm in diameter and about 3 μm long) attach strongly to the external surface of the cells, and are readily internalized by incubation with the cells for periods longer than 24 h. Once inside the cells, the nanorod motors can be activated by resonant ultrasound operating at 4 MHz, and show axial propulsion as well as spinning. The intracellular propulsion does not involve chemical fuels or high-power ultrasound and the HeLa cells remain viable. Ultrasonic propulsion of nanomotors may thus provide a new tool for probing the response of living cells to internal mechanical excitation, for controllably manipulating intracellular organelles, and for biomedical applications. Ultrasonic propulsion: Metallic nanomotors can be internalized by incubation with HeLa cells for periods longer than 24 h (see picture). Once inside the cells, the nanomotors can be activated by resonant ultrasound operating at 4 MHz, and show axial propulsion as well as spinning. The HeLa cells remain viable.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3201-3204
Number of pages4
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume53
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 17 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry

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