Recent Advances in Microscale Electroporation

Abstract

Electroporation (EP) is a commonly used strategy to increase cell permeability for intracellular cargo delivery or irreversible cell membrane disruption using electric fields. In recent years, EP performance has been improved by shrinking electrodes and device structures to the microscale. Integration with microfluidics has led to the design of devices performing static EP, where cells are fixed in a defined region, or continuous EP, where cells constantly pass through the device. Each device type performs superior to conventional, macroscale EP devices while providing additional advantages in precision manipulation (static EP) and increased throughput (continuous EP). Microscale EP is gentle on cells and has enabled more sensitive assaying of cells with novel applications. In this Review, we present the physical principles of microscale EP devices and examine design trends in recent years. In addition, we discuss the use of reversible and irreversible EP in the development of therapeutics and analysis of intracellular contents, among other noteworthy applications. This Review aims to inform and encourage scientists and engineers to expand the use of efficient and versatile microscale EP technologies.

Systemic Tumor Suppression via Macrophage‐Driven Automated Homing of Metal‐Phenolic‐Gated Nanosponges for Metastatic Melanoma

“…One approach to achieving high drug loading is the encapsulation of drugs into the inner volume of cells by diffusion, [12] endocytosis, [13][14][15] or electroporation. [16][17][18] However, these strategies usually enhance drug loading, which can result in cell membrane alterations or interfere with cell functionalities, subsequently reducing chemotactic migration to solid tumors. [1,19] Attachment of therapeutic molecules to the cellular surfaces has been leveraged for cell-based drug delivery (referred to as "backpacking" or "hitchhiking").…”

Electrostimulation improves plant growth and modulates the flavonoid profile in aeroponic culture of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

“…In medical biotechnologies, EP is a commonly used technique for intracellular cargo delivery or irreversible cell membrane disruption. Recently, EP performance has been improved by electrodes and device miniaturization (Choi et al, 2022). When it comes to plant-related applications, this technique is most widely utilized in the extraction process, where PEF treatment improves diffusion and mass transfer, thereby greatly increasing the efficacy of this process and decreasing solvent usage (Poojary et al, 2020).…”

Transepithelial Electrical Impedance Increase Following Porous Substrate Electroporation Enables Label-Free Delivery

“…Impedance can also be measured intermittently throughout delivery to provide additional information on the intermediate stages of the process, and it may even be possible to optimize PSEP using only impedance measurements, a method known as label-free delivery ( 7 ). These impedance measurements during and after electroporation have already been utilized with many different electroporation methods ( 10, 11 ), but mostly for assessing membrane permeabilization and to our knowledge, have not been reported for PSEP. More specifically, a subset of impedance measurements known as transepithelial electrical impedance (TEEI) should be utilized with PSEP.…”