Single-cell electroporation

• Single-cell electroporation (SCEP) is a relatively new technique that has emerged in the last decade or so for single-cell studies. When a large enough electric field is applied to a single cell, transient nano-pores form in the cell membrane allowing molecules to be transported into and out of the cell. Unlike bulk electroporation, in which a homogenous electric field is applied to a suspension of cells, in SCEP an electric field is created locally near a single cell. Today, single-cell-level studies are at the frontier of biochemical research, and SCEP is a promising tool in such studies. In this review, we discuss pore formation based on theoretical and experimental approaches. Current SCEP techniques using microelectrodes, micropipettes, electrolyte-filled capillaries, and microfabricated devices are all thoroughly discussed for adherent and suspended cells. SCEP has been applied in in-vivo and in-vitro studies for delivery of cell-impermeant molecules such as drugs, DNA, and siRNA, and for morphological observations.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Transfection

patch-clamp

filled capillary

Cell membrane

Electric field

modeling electroporation

electric-field

Microelectrodes

genetic manipulation

mammalian-cells

Microfluidics

neurons in-vivo

membrane electropermeabilization

ellipsoidal cells

micro-electroporation

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)