Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
08:23
Finite Element Modelling of a Cellular Electric Microenvironment
Published on: May 18, 2021
A model for predicting field-directed particle transport in the magnetofection process.
Edward P Furlani1, Xiaozheng Xue
1Dept. Chemical & Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, SUNY, 614 Furnas Hall, Buffalo, New York 14260-4200, USA. efurlani@buffalo.edu
Pharmaceutical Research
|February 22, 2012
Summary
Magnetofection uses magnetic fields to deliver gene vectors to cells. This study models the process, showing how particle size and magnetic field strength impact gene delivery efficiency for in vitro applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Magnetofection is an advanced gene delivery technique.
- It utilizes magnetic nanoparticles to enhance transfection efficiency.
- Understanding the underlying physics is crucial for optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the magnetofection process.
- To understand the impact of particle size and magnetic field strength on gene delivery.
- To investigate factors influencing gene vector delivery efficiency.
Main Methods:
- A numerical model was developed to simulate magnetofection.
- The model predicts particle transport dynamics and accumulation.
- The study focused on a multiwell culture plate system.
Main Results:
- Key factors influencing gene delivery were assessed.
- These include carrier particle properties and magnetic field parameters.
- The model predicts particle accumulation at target cells.
Conclusions:
- Computational modeling can predict magnetofection outcomes.
- This approach allows for optimization of gene delivery.
- Applicable to both novel and conventional in vitro systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
A stationary charge creates and interacts with the electric field, while a moving charge creates a magnetic field.
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
01:24Potential Due to a Magnetized Object
Magnetic dipoles in magnetic materials are aligned when placed under an external magnetic field. For paramagnets and ferromagnets, dipole alignment occurs in the direction of the magnetic field. However, the dipoles align opposite to the field in the case of diamagnets. This state of magnetic polarization due to the external field is called magnetization. Magnetization is defined as the dipole moment per unit volume. It plays a similar role to polarization in electrostatics.
The vector...
The vector...
01:27Magnetic Fields
A moving charge or a current creates a magnetic field in the surrounding space, in addition to its electric field. The magnetic field exerts a force on any other moving charge or current that is present in the field. Like an electric field, the magnetic field is also a vector field. At any position, the direction of the magnetic field is defined as the direction in which the north pole of a compass needle points.
A magnetic field is defined by the force that a charged particle experiences...
A magnetic field is defined by the force that a charged particle experiences...
01:22Motion Of A Charged Particle In A Magnetic Field
A charged particle experiences a force when moving through a magnetic field. Consider the field to be uniform and the charged particle to move perpendicular to it. If the field is in a vacuum, the magnetic field is the dominant factor determining the motion. Since the magnetic force is perpendicular to the direction of motion, a charged particle follows a curved path. The particle continues to follow this curved path until it forms a complete circle. Another way to look at this is that the...
01:22Motional Emf
Magnetic flux depends on three factors: the strength of the magnetic field, the area through which the field lines pass, and the field's orientation with respect to the surface area. If any of these quantities vary, a corresponding variation in magnetic flux occurs. If the area through which the magnetic field lines are passing changes, then the magnetic flux also changes. This change in the area can be of two types: the flux through the rectangular loop increases as it moves into the magnetic...
00:59Biot-Savart Law: Problem-Solving
The magnitude and direction of a magnetic field created by a steady current can be calculated using the Biot-Savart law.
Consider a mobile phone battery bank as a source of steady current, which flows through the wire connected between the two. What is the magnitude of the magnetic field created by this current at a field point P?
To estimate the magnitude of the total magnetic field, we first consider a small current element of length dl, at a distance r from the field point. Now the following...
Consider a mobile phone battery bank as a source of steady current, which flows through the wire connected between the two. What is the magnitude of the magnetic field created by this current at a field point P?
To estimate the magnitude of the total magnetic field, we first consider a small current element of length dl, at a distance r from the field point. Now the following...