Summary
The main aim of drug delivery is precise spatial and temporal control of the drug being delivered. Commonly drugs are delivered systemically, reaching all areas of the body and are subject to constantly changing dosages. To solve this problem, we have developed the use of perfluorocarbon nanodroplets, nanometer sized lipid emulsions that contain dye and perfluorocarbon liquid that can be heated through laser excitation. These droplets can be injected systemically and lased to release cargo at precise locations and timing to ensure appropriate drug dosage. Furthermore, the act of vaporization produces pores in the membrane allowing for cytosolic delivery of drug. We show that lasing cells in media containing calcein with perfluorocarbon droplets results in spatially controlled delivery of calcein green.