Effect of cell size and shape on single-cell electroporation

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Single-cell electroporation offers precise delivery but faces challenges in reproducibility.
• Understanding factors influencing cell response is crucial for optimizing electroporation protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of experimental conditions and cell properties on single-cell electroporation outcomes.
• To compare electroporation efficiency and cell survival between bulk and single-cell methods.

Main Methods:

• Single-cell electroporation of fluorescently labeled A549 cells using electrolyte-filled capillaries.
• Logistic regression analysis to correlate cell survival and electroporation success with experimental parameters and cell morphology.
• Finite element simulations to model transmembrane potential and compare bulk versus single-cell electroporation.

Main Results:

• Both experimental conditions and cell properties (size, shape) significantly affect electroporation success and cell viability.
• Large, hemispherical cells exhibit higher permeabilization and survival rates than small, ellipsoidal cells.
• Transmembrane potential dependence on cell size is less pronounced in single-cell electroporation compared to bulk methods.

Conclusions:

• Cellular morphology plays a critical role in single-cell electroporation efficiency and survival.
• Optimizing electroporation protocols requires consideration of both cell properties and experimental parameters for improved outcomes.