Open Access

ARTICLE

Design Evaluation of a Particle Bombardment System Used to Deliver Substances into Cells

Eduardo M. B. Campello^1,2, Tarek I. Zohdi³

1 Dept. Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 61548, 05424-970, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Email: campello@usp.br
2 Current temporary address: Dept. Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley. 6195 Etcheverry Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1740, USA. Tel: +1 (510) 612-3658, Email: campello@berkeley.edu.
3 Dept. Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, 6195 Etcheverry Hall, 94720-1740, Berkeley, CA, USA. Email: zohdi@me.berkeley.edu

Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 2014, 98(2), 221-245. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmes.2014.098.221

Abstract

This work deals with the bombardment of a stream of particles possessing varying mean particle size, velocity and aspect ratio into a cell that has fixed (known) compliance characteristics. The particles are intended to penetrate the cell membrane causing zero or minimum damage and deliver foreign substances (which are attached to their surfaces) to the interior of the cell. We adopt a particle-based (discrete element method) computational model that has been recently developed by the authors to describe both the incoming stream of particles and the cell membrane. By means of parametric numerical simulations, treating the stream’s mean particle size, velocity and aspect ratio as random variables, we explore the synergy between these parameters and identify basic trends as to how changes in the input parameters affect the output results, and as to what are the best combinations of parameter values that lead to (i) the highest amount of particle delivery and (ii) the lowest level of membrane damage. Conclusions are drawn on this regard based on statistical assessment of the simulations results. Computational particle-based models render reliable and fast simulation tools. We believe they can be very useful to help advance the design of particle bombardment systems.

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