Membrane electroporation theories: a review

C. Chen, S. W. Smye, M. P. Robinson, J. A. Evans

Research output: Contribution to journalLiterature reviewpeer-review

Abstract

Electroporation, the transient increase in the permeability of cell membranes when exposed to a high electric field, is an established in vitro technique and is used to introduce DNA or other molecules into cells. When the trans-membrane voltage induced by an external electric field exceeds a certain threshold (normally 0.2-1 V), a rearrangement of the molecular structure of the membrane occurs, leading to pore formation in the membrane and a considerable increase in the cell membrane permeability to ions, molecules and even macromolecules. This phenomenon is, potentially, the basis for many in vivo applications such as electrochemotherapy and gene therapy, but still lacks a comprehensive theoretical basis. This article reviews the state of current electroporation theories and briefly considers current and potential applications in biology and medicine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5-14
Number of pages10
JournalMedical and Biological Engineering and Computing
Volume44
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2006

Keywords

  • electroporation
  • electropermeabilisation
  • cell membrane
  • aqueous pore model
  • electric fields
  • REVERSIBLE ELECTRICAL BREAKDOWN
  • PLANAR BILAYER-MEMBRANES
  • IN-VIVO ELECTROPORATION
  • LIPID-BILAYERS
  • CELL-MEMBRANES
  • FIELD
  • STABILITY
  • MODEL
  • ELECTROPERMEABILIZATION
  • SIMULATION

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