Abstract: A method to selectively permeabilize and/or fragmentize cells. A structure comprising a material and particles able to absorb electromagnetic radiation and cells are brought at close distance from each other. Part of the particles embedded in the structure are exposed to the free surface of the structure. The structure and, in particular, the particles in the structure are irradiated with electromagnetic radiation to selectively permeabilize and/or fragmentize the cells. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a structure for use in a photothermal process to selectively permeabilize and/or fragmentize cells.

Abstract: A method for generating vapour bubbles in an object comprises introducing a composition into the object, the composition comprising carbon-based nano- or microparticles that can couple with a photon wave of electromagnetic radiation. The method also comprises irradiating said object using electromagnetic radiation. The irradiation thereby is adapted for using a set of carbon-based nano- or microparticles for subsequently forming first vapour bubbles and at least second vapour bubbles using the same carbon-based nano- or microparticles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to increase the permeability of the plasma membrane of cells by introducing at least one cell on or near a structure comprising particles able to absorb electromagnetic radiation. The particles, present in a concentration ranging between 0.001 vol % and 20 vol %, are embedded in the material of the structure. At least 60% of the particles present in the structure are embedded in the material in such a way that the shortest distance L between these particles and the free area surface S of the structure ranges between 1 nm and 500 nm. The invention further relates to a structure suitable for use in a photothermal process to permeabilize cells and to the use of such structure.

Abstract: A method to provide a microfluidic flow comprising a central flow and at least one outer flow, such that the central flow includes a first material and the at least one outer flow comprises a second material. One of the first material and the second material has cells and the other of the first material and the second material has solid particles. The method involves injection of a first suspension including the first material through a central inlet with a flow rate Q2 and injection of a second suspension comprising the second material through a pair of side inlets with a flow rate Q2, whereby the ratio of the flow rate Q2 over the flow rate Q1 is at least 4. A device provides such microfluidic flow and a method is provided to alter biological cells.

Abstract: A method for generating vapour bubbles in an object comprises introducing a composition into the object, the composition comprising carbon-based nano- or microparticles that can couple with a photon wave of electromagnetic radiation. The method also comprises irradiating said object using electromagnetic radiation. The irradiation thereby is adapted for using a set of carbon-based nano- or microparticles for subsequently forming first vapour bubbles and at least second vapour bubbles using the same carbon-based nano- or microparticles.