Biological cell positioning and spatially selective destruction via magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

We report a procedure on biological cells (erythrocytes) where magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles have been used for micro-scale blood cell positioning and space selective destruction. The experiment was accomplished on the top of the microelectromagnet serving as a source of magnetic field and as a local heater at the same time. We observed the controlled motion and focusing of the blood cells dragged by the flow of magnetic nanoparticles. Furthermore, we found that the increase of the electric current through the microelectromagnet leads to the local cell haemolysis. The haemolysis is observed only in the vicinity (5-10 microns) of the current-carrying wires. The whole procedure takes less than 3 seconds. The obtained results provide a rich resource showing the dynamics of cell dragging by the magnetic nanoparticles and demonstrate the feasibility of using magnetic nanoparticles for cell positioning and surgery on the cellular level with micrometer-scale precision.