This application relates to the delivery of substances to enucleated cells. Current
subject matter includes methods, systems, articles, and techniques for delivering substances to enucleated cells such as red blood cells. Using rapidly deformable microfluidic systems, loading red blood cells with macromolecules of varying sizes has been demonstrated. While delivery to some mammalian cells, such as
cancer cell lines and fibroblasts, using this technique has previously been shown, these designs are incompatible with RBCs, which have significantly different physical properties. Successful delivery to red blood cells can be achieved by using smaller contractile portion sizes, high speeds, and different buffer solutions. By achieving robust delivery to red blood cells in a simple and scalable manner, the current
subject matter can be implemented in a variety of applications, such as delivering substances for studying
red blood cell diseases and / or using red blood cells as a therapeutic platform. Related devices, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.