Electroporation Process :Cells are suspended in a conductive solution, and a high-voltage electric pulse is applied to create temporary pores in the cell membrane.
The Electric Pulse causes the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane to momentarily break down, forming pores large enough for molecules (such as plasmids, DNA, RNA, or drugs) to enter the cell.
After the pulse, the pores reseal, and the molecules that were introduced are retained inside the cell, which can then be used for gene expression, gene editing, or other applications.
Principles of Electroporation:
Voltage and Pulse Duration: The effectiveness of electroporation is influenced by the magnitude of the voltage applied and the duration of the pulse. Too high a voltage or too long a pulse could damage the cells.
Cell Type and Conductivity: Different cell types have varying membrane properties, which affects the electroporation process. The buffer or medium’s conductivity also plays a role.
Membrane Permeabilization: The electric field induces a temporary, reversible increase in the cell membranes permeability, allowing the uptake of molecules.
Reversibility: For successful electroporation, the process needs to be non-lethal—meaning that the cells should survive and be capable of replicating or expressing the introduced material.