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Related Concept Videos

Induced Electric Fields01:23

Induced Electric Fields

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The fact that emfs are induced in circuits implies that work is being done on the conduction electrons in the wires. What can possibly be the source of this work? We know that it’s neither a battery nor a magnetic field, as a battery does not have to be present in a circuit where current is induced, and magnetic fields never do any work on moving charges. The source of the work is in fact an electric field that is induced in the wires. For example, if a stationary conductor is placed in a...
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Induced Electric Fields: Applications01:27

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An important distinction exists between the electric field induced by a changing magnetic field and the electrostatic field produced by a fixed charge distribution. Specifically, the induced electric field is nonconservative because it does not work in moving a charge over a closed path. In contrast, the electrostatic field is conservative and does no net work over a closed path. Hence, electric potential can be associated with the electrostatic field but not the induced field. The following...
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Electric Field01:16

Electric Field

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Consider two point charges, each exerting Coulomb force on the other. It is possible to describe the Coulomb interaction via an intermediate step by defining a new physical quantity called the electric field.
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The electric field and electric potential are related to each other. If the electric field at various points in the region of interest is known, it can be used to calculate the electric potential difference between any two points. Similarly, if the electric potential is known for various points, then it is possible to calculate the electric field.
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Finding Electric Potential From Electric Field01:13

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For a system of charges, it is easy to calculate the system's potential because potential is a scalar quantity. However, in some instances where calculating the electric field is more straightforward than finding the potential, the electric field is used to calculate the system's potential. For a positive charge, the electric field is radially outward, and the potential is positive at any finite distance from the positive charge. In such an electric field, the motion away from the...
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Changing the Direction and Orientation of Electric Field During Electric Pulses Application Improves Plasmid Gene Transfer in vitro
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Characterization of Cell Membrane Permeability In Vitro Part I: Transport Behavior Induced by Single-Pulse Electric

Daniel C Sweeney1, James C Weaver2, Rafael V Davalos1

  • 11 Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment
|September 22, 2018
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a new method to quantitatively measure cell membrane permeability after electroporation using fluorescence microscopy. The findings reveal a direct correlation between increased membrane permeability and propidium uptake, even with single electrical pulses.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Electrochemistry

Background:

  • Electroporation studies often focus on cell membrane permeabilization, but quantitative measurements of diffusive permeability are challenging.
  • Current methods for comparing electroporation protocols rely on relative fluorescence, hindering direct theoretical connections and inter-study comparisons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and present a quantitative research method for determining individual cell membrane diffusive permeability using fluorescence microscopy.
  • To investigate the relationship between electric field pulse parameters (duration, strength) and cell membrane permeability.
  • To explore propidium uptake as an indicator of membrane permeability and identify cell subpopulations with unique uptake characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized fluorescence microscopy to quantitatively measure the diffusive permeability of cell membranes to propidium.
  • Applied electric field pulses with durations from 1 to 1000 μs and strengths from 170 to 400 kV/m.
  • Analyzed propidium uptake in individual cells to correlate with membrane permeability.

Main Results:

  • Quantitatively determined cell membrane diffusive permeabilities, reaching up to 1.3±0.4×10-8 m/s.
  • Established a correlation between increased membrane permeability and subsequent propidium uptake.
  • Identified a subpopulation of cells exhibiting delayed, significant propidium uptake after single, low-strength electrical pulses.

Conclusions:

  • The developed method allows for quantitative measurement of cell membrane diffusive permeability using standard fluorescence microscopy.
  • Electroporation, even with single pulses, can induce significant membrane permeabilities that are quantitatively measurable.
  • Cellular heterogeneity in propidium uptake suggests distinct responses to electrical pulses, impacting delivery and cell fate outcomes.