Enhancement of an electroporation system for gene delivery using electrophoresis with planar electrodes

We developed a new electroporation system, including a microchip and a logic circuit, and combining with the function of electrophoresis, which can site-specific enhancement of the gene concentration. We have demonstrated that the electroporation microchip could enhance and target in vitro gene transfection for cell lines. In this micro-device, the outer electrodes could provide the electrophoresis function for DNA attraction, and the inner electrodes could provide appropriate electric fields for the electroporation on the chip surface. The electrostatic force can be designed into specific regions, where the DNA plasmids are attracted to provide the region-targeting function. This study successfully demonstrates that the electrostatic force can attract DNA plasmids to the cell surface and highly enhance the gene delivery. Experimental results showed that the efficiency of gene transfection with an attracting-electric field become much higher than that without an attracting-electric field. Furthermore, the adherent cells could be manipulated in situ without detachment by this EP microchip. The system has several advantages of portable, cost-effective, high transfection rate and easy operation.