We developed an injection technique for microalgae based on electroosmotic flow using a nanopipette. Microalgae are promising hosts for CO₂ fixation and the production of valuable compounds; however, the presence of rigid cell walls limits the efficient introduction of genes and proteins required for molecular breeding. This method enables the precise injection of liquids at the femtoliter level and is expected to serve as a minimally invasive technique for gene delivery. Furthermore, because the amount of injected material can be precisely controlled, this approach is expected to be applicable to genetic modification and metabolic engineering of microalgae.
Tanaka T. et al., Marine Biotechnology, 27(108), 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10126-025-10487-0
