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Microscale Vortex-assisted Electroporator for Sequential Molecular Delivery
Published on: August 7, 2014
Moveable wire electrode microchamber for nanosecond pulsed electric-field delivery
Yu-Hsuan Wu1, Delia Arnaud-Cormos, Maura Casciola
1Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. sharonyhw@gmail.com
IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering
|November 30, 2012
Summary
This study presents a novel microchamber for delivering ultra-short electrical pulses (as low as 2.5 nanoseconds) for cell electroporation. The system effectively induced cell swelling, demonstrating its potential for biological applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Electrophysiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Nanosecond pulse delivery is crucial for precise cell manipulation.
- Existing systems face challenges in achieving ultra-short pulse durations.
- Microfluidic devices offer potential for controlled cellular exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To electromagnetically characterize a moveable wire electrode microchamber for nanosecond pulse delivery.
- To validate the system's efficacy for cell electroporation.
- To assess the biological effects of ultra-short pulsed electric fields on cells.
Main Methods:
- Electromagnetic characterization using experimental measurements and numerical simulations.
- High-voltage measurements with pulse generators (2.5 and 5.0 ns).
- Biological validation through Jurkat cell electroporation experiments.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated utility of the microchamber for delivering pulses as short as 2.5 ns.
- Successful high-voltage delivery (~1.2 kV) with ultra-short pulses.
- Observed dose-dependent osmotic swelling in Jurkat cells with 2.5 ns pulses.
Conclusions:
- The proposed microchamber is effective for delivering nanosecond pulsed electric fields.
- Ultra-short pulses (2.5 ns) can induce significant biological effects like cell swelling.
- This technology holds promise for advanced cell electroporation applications.
