Abstract: Naked nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, and/or analogs), drugs, and/or other molecules in an extracellular environment enter cells in living intact tissue upon application of pressure to the cells and extracellular environment. Nucleic acids localize to the cell nuclei. Transfection efficiencies greater than 90% are achievable for naked DNA and RNA. A sealed enclosure, defined by an enclosing means and/or tissue, contains the cells and their extracellular environment. The enclosure is pressurized to an incubation pressure on the order of atmospheres. A protective inelastic sheath may be used to prevent distension and trauma in tissue that is part of the enclosure boundary. Suitable enclosures include pressurization chambers and organs such as blood vessels or the heart. Parts of organs, entire organs, and/or entire organisms are pressurized. Suitable target tissue types include blood vessel (in particular vein) tissue, heart, kidney, liver, and bone marrow tissue.

Abstract: The invention presents a system for inducing cells in living intact tissue, in vivo or ex vivo, to accept nucleotides from their extracellular environment and to localize those nucleotides into the cells' nuclei. This system relies on the fact that, when subjected to high pressure, cells take in nucleotides and localize those nucleotides into their nuclei with a transfection rate of greater than 90% in some cases. This invention employs various techniques for placing under high pressure either cells in isolated tissue cultures, or cells in tissues still connected to a living body.