University of Pennsylvania researchers said the tiny carbon-based tool can be used to probe cells with minimal intrusion and inject fluids without damaging or inhibiting cell growth. The nanopipettes might replace glass micropipettes that are fragile at small scales, can cause irreparable cell damage and cannot be simultaneously used as injectors and electrodes, the scientists said.

The carbon-based pipettes -- developed by Professor Haim Bau and colleagues -- range in size from a few tens to a few hundred nanometers and are said to be far stronger and more flexible than traditional glass micropipettes. In addition, the pipettes are transparent to X-rays and electrons, making them useful when imaging even at the molecular level, the scientists said -- noting the addition of a functionalized protein to the pipette creates a nanoscale biosensor that can detect the presence of proteins.

The research by Bau, doctoral candidate Michael Schrlau and Barry Ziober of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine appears in the journal Nanotechnology.