IISc has technology for increasing porosity of cell walls so as to make drug delivery easier

The challenge in medicine is to get the drugs to where it matters, which is inside the cells. However, the drug molecules have to pass through the cell walls (membrane). Often the pores in the cell walls are too small for the drug molecules to enter.  

Scientists have been grappling with this problem for long. There are several ways of doing this, such as ‘molecular motors’, deformability cytometry, acoustics, lasers and electric field, but all these help expand the pores only up to about 50 nm.  

Now, Indian Institute of Science has developed a technology that can increase the pores so big as to permit molecules of 100 mn size. “This method avoids lysis of cells and also it is label-free with high throughput,” says IISc. 

The institute has filed for a patent and is seeking a commercial partner for licencing and development of this technology. 

Those interested could contact: 

Mr. Venkat Rama Rao Adhikari  

Technology Licensing Manager  

Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Licensing  

E-mail: venkatadhikari@iisc.ac.in  

Mobile: 8220260777