Graphene-enabled, spatially controlled electroporation of adherent cells for live-cell super-resolution microscopy

The incorporation of exogenous molecules into live cells is essential for both biological research and therapeutic applications. In particular, for the emerging field of super-resolution microscopy of live mammalian cells, reliable fluorescent labeling of intracellular targets remains a challenge. Here, utilizing the unique mechanical, electrical, and optical properties of graphene, a single layer of bonded carbon atoms, we report a facile approach that enables both high-throughput delivery of fluorescent probes into adherent live cells and in situ super-resolution microscopy on the same device. ∼90% delivery efficiencies are achieved for free dyes and dye-tagged affinity probes, short peptides, and whole antibodies, thus enabling high-quality super-resolution microscopy. Moreover, we demonstrate excellent spatiotemporal controls, which, in combination with the ready patternablity of graphene, allow for the spatially selective delivery of two different probes for cells at different locations on the same substrate. We thus open up a new pathway to the microscopic manipulation and visualization of live cells.