Abstract
In vivo site-selective gene transfection by the use of laser-induced stress wave (LISW) is described. In this method, targeted tissue is injected with plasmid DNA, on which a light-absorbing material is placed as a laser target. The target is irradiated with high-power, nanosecond laser pulse to produce plasma; its expansion is accompanied by high-peak-pressure, compressive pressure wave which is called LISW. The interaction of cells with LISW (s) can induce gene transfection in the targeted tissue. On the basis of this method, highly siteselective transfection in rat skins and mouse brains has been demonstrated in vivo. Application of this method to tissue engineering, i.e., the development of high-performance skin grafts, is also reported.
