Researchers can study diseases, defense mechanism of the cell and identify pathogen targets for drug development by injecting large molecules into cells.

Inserting large cargo into cells could lead to more research opportunities that was previously not possible. For example, researchers can study diseases caused by mutant mitochondrial DNA by injecting into mitochondria and altering its metabolism.
It also could help scientists understand the cell’s defense mechanisms against pathogens. “The new information learned from these types of studies could assist in identifying pathogen targets for drug development, or provide fundamental insight on how the pathogen–host interaction enables a productive infection or effective cellular response to occur,” said Dr. Michael Teitell, chief of the division of pediatric and developmental pathology.
Source-Medindia