Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026
Changing the Direction and Orientation of Electric Field During Electric Pulses Application Improves Plasmid Gene Transfer in vitro
Published on: September 12, 2011
3D bioprinter applied picosecond pulsed electric fields for targeted manipulation of proliferation and lineage
Ross A Petrella1,2, Peter A Mollica3,4, Martina Zamponi2,3
1Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, 23529, United States of America.
Objective:
Picosecond pulse electric fields (psPEF) have the potential to elicit functional changes in mammalian cells in a non-contact manner. Such electro-manipulation of pluripotent and multipotent cells could be a tool in both neural interface and tissue engineering. Here, we describe the potential of psPEF in directing neural stem cells (NSCs) gene expression, metabolism, and proliferation. As a comparison mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were also tested.
Approach:
A psPEF electrode was anchored on a customized commercially available 3D printer, which allowed us to deliver pulses with high spatial precision and systematically control the electrode position in three-axes. When the electrodes are continuously energized and their position is shifted by the 3D printer, large numbers of cells on a surface can be exposed to a uniform psPEF. With two electric field strengths (20 and 40 kV cm-1), cell responses, including cell viability, proliferation, and gene expression assays, were quantified and analyzed.
Main Results:
Analysis revealed both NSCs and MSCs showed no significant cell death after treatments. Both cell types exhibited an increased metabolic reduction; however, the response rate for MSCs was sensitive to the change of electric field strength, but for NSCs, it appeared independent of electric field strength. The change in proliferation rate was cell-type specific. MSCs underwent no significant change in proliferation whereas NSCs exhibited an electric field dependent response with the higher electric field producing less proliferation. Further, NSCs showed an upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after 24 h to 40 kV cm-1, which is characteristic of astrocyte specific differentiation.
Significance:
Changes in cell metabolism, proliferation, and gene expression after picosecond pulsed electric field exposure are cell type specific.
More Related Videos
11:15Electric Field-controlled Directed Migration of Neural Progenitor Cells in 2D and 3D Environments
Published on: February 16, 2012
10:01Alginate Microcapsule as a 3D Platform for Propagation and Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells hESC to Different Lineages
Published on: March 9, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
01:42What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
01:16Electric Field
In the new picture, imagine that the first charge sets up an electric field independent of all other charges in the universe. When another charge comes in its vicinity, the second charge experiences an electric force depending on the electric field at that point. The source charge does not...
02:35Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
01:12Determining Electric Field From Electric Potential
In general, regardless of whether the electric field is uniform, it points in the direction of decreasing potential because the force on a positive...