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Membrane electroporation theories: a review

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electronics, University of York, Heslington, YO10 5DD, York, UK

    C. Chen & M.P. Robinson

  2. Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, St. James’s University Hospital, LS9 7TF, Leeds, UK

    S.W. Smye

  3. Academic Unit of Medical Physics, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK

    J.A. Evans

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  1. C. Chen
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Chen, C., Smye, S., Robinson, M. et al. Membrane electroporation theories: a review. Med Bio Eng Comput 44, 5–14 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-005-0020-2

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