Abstract: Embodiments provided herein generally relate to methods and materials for ultrasound-mediated introduction of exogenous substances into microorganisms. Some embodiments relate to methods of introducing an exogenous material into a microorganism such as an algae. The methods can include, for example, providing a microorganism (e.g., algae); providing a population of bubbles that comprise one or more nucleic acid molecules and/or one or more polypeptide or one or more protein molecules; contacting the population of bubbles with the algae; applying ultrasound to the bubbles and algae with sufficient energy to cavitate one or more of bubbles comprising the one or more nucleic acid molecules in proximity to the algae; and maintaining the algae and the one or more burst bubbles comprising the one or more nucleic acid molecules in contact for a period of time sufficient to permit entry of at least one nucleic acid molecule into the algae.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein generally relate to methods and materials for ultrasound-mediated introduction of exogenous substances into microorganisms. Some embodiments relate to methods of introducing an exogenous material into a microorganism such as an algae. The methods can include, for example, providing a microorganism (e.g., algae); providing a population of bubbles that comprise one or more nucleic acid molecules and/or one or more polypeptide or one or more protein molecules; contacting the population of bubbles with the algae; applying ultrasound to the bubbles and algae with sufficient energy to cavitate one or more of bubbles comprising the one or more nucleic acid molecules in proximity to the algae; and maintaining the algae and the one or more burst bubbles comprising the one or more nucleic acid molecules in contact for a period of time sufficient to permit entry of at least one nucleic acid molecule into the algae.