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Scanning electrochemical microscopy based irreversible destruction of living cells

Margarita Poderyte1, Arunas Ramanavicius1, Aušra Valiūnienė1

  • 1Vilnius University, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Institute of Chemistry, Naugarduko 24, Vilnius, LT, 03225, Lithuania.

Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|August 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) achieved irreversible electroporation and cell death in yeast using low voltage. This technique shows promise for targeted cancer tissue treatment due to precise control over electroporation area.

Area of Science:

  • Electrochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a promising technique for cancer therapy.
  • Precise control over electroporation parameters is crucial for selective tissue treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the application of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) combined with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for irreversible electroporation (IRE) of yeast cells.
  • To determine the characteristics of the electroporation zone and its dependence on electrode parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with an ultramicro-electrode (UME).
  • Employed electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to monitor electroporation.
  • Applied a low voltage of 2.0 V vs Ag/AgCl,Cl-sat for electroporation of immobilized yeast cells.

Main Results:

  • Achieved irreversible electroporation and cell death in yeast cells.
  • The electroporated area was approximately 20 times wider than the UME diameter, located directly beneath it.
  • Demonstrated that the electroporation zone size is dependent on UME diameter and UME-surface distance.

Conclusions:

  • SECM-UME offers high accuracy for targeted electroporation due to precise spatial control.
  • The ability to control electroporation area size suggests potential for selective tissue ablation in therapeutic applications, such as cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopyElectrochemical tissue removalIrreversible electroporationScanning electrochemical microscopeUltramicro-electrodeYeast cells

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