Optimisation of electroporation for biochemical experiments in live cells

To introduce into cells small molecules, which do not permeate the cell membrane naturally, electroporation is the fastest and most efficient technique. Although it is not completely benign, the speed at which a full population of cells can be permeated gives it a strong advantage over all other cell permeation techniques. Here we describe the potential damaging effects of electroporation and how to derive conditions which avoid these and assure its use for biochemical experiments in live cells.