Cell membrane electroporation modeling: A multiphysics approach

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Biotechnology
• Medical Engineering

Background:

• Electroporation uses electric pulses to perturb cell membranes, crucial in medicine and biotech.
• The precise interaction between electric pulses and cell membranes remains incompletely understood and formalized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a comprehensive Multiphysics (MP) model for electric pulse-cell membrane interactions.
• To elucidate the physical mechanisms governing electroporation at the cellular level.

Main Methods:

• Developed an MP model integrating Poisson equation (electric field), Nernst-Planck equations (ion transport), Maxwell tensor and mechanical equilibrium (membrane deformation), and Smoluchowski equation (permeabilization).
• Explicitly discretized the cell membrane for detailed mechanical analysis.

Main Results:

• The MP model predicts elastic deformation of the cell membrane during electric pulses.
• This deformation influences transmembrane potential, pore creation dynamics, and ion transport.
• Predicted a coincidence between maximum membrane deformation, pore aperture, and ion uptake.

Conclusions:

• The developed MP model provides a formalized understanding of electric pulse-cell membrane interactions.
• Membrane deformation is a key factor influencing electroporation outcomes.
• Model predictions are experimentally validated in various cell types and lipid vesicles.