Using Microfluidic Devices for Gene Therapy

At Carnegie Mellon University, researchers are engineering cutting-edge micro- and nanoscale technologies that interact with living cells in unprecedented ways. Using microfluidic chips inspired by computer chip manufacturing, they manipulate viscoelastic, non-Newtonian fluids to stretch cells and create nanoscale openings—all without physical contact. This allows DNA and proteins to enter cells safely and efficiently, opening the door to faster, safer, and more affordable gene therapies like CAR-T. By blending complex fluid mechanics with biomolecular engineering, the team aims to democratize the future of medicine—and train the next generation of innovators along the way.