Electroporation technique of DNA transfection

Electroporation is a simple and rapid procedure by which DNA may be transferred into cells. Essentially, a high voltage pulse is applied to a suspension of cells and DNA placed between electrodes in a suitable cuvet. It is thought that this pulse induces local areas of cell-membrane breakdown, or pores, through which the DNA then enters the cell. Once these pores have resealed, normal cell functions can continue. Since this transfection method involves a physical effect of the delivered pulse on the cell membrane, it can potentially be used for most cells, independent of their phagocytic capacity as required for transfection by the calcium phosphate coprecipitation technique (see Chapter 2 , this vol.).