Many laboratories studying genetic engineering are using cell fusion to aid their research. The new and highly efficient method of using electrical fields to induce cell-to-cell fusion, or cell-toparticle fusion, or to induce entry of DNA or other compounds into cells opens up rapid ways to accomplish these ends.

The presence of the small ac electric fields produced by living cells is shown by the gentle dielectrophoretic force on tiny dielectric particles. The beauty of the field patterns is made evident as the cell and particles settle in a hanging drop. Patterns characteristic of repulsion and of attraction, as well as of a dipolar and quadripolar nature, are observable.

ABSTRACT:The electrical fusion of male skin fibroblasts of the Indian muntlac (Muntiacus muntjak) in vitro is described. Fusion of cell nuclei in the resulting multinucleated giant cells was observed after application of up to ten additional DC pulses. Electrical fusion of bovine erythrocytes and alveolar macrophages is also described. Ceil fusion can be obtained without the use of protease pretreatment, but the yield of fused cells is about 20 times lower than with prior use of proteases.

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