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Molecular Simulation of Cell Membrane Deformation by Picosecond Intense Electric Pulse

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Abstract

The application of pulsed electric field is emerging as a new technique for cancer therapy. The irreversible electroporation is the major bioelectric effect to induce cell death. The pulsed electric field is transferred to target deep tissue non-invasively and precisely when the pulse duration is in picosecond regime. In this proposed work, the intense electric field with 100 ps pulse width is used for irreversible electroporation. If the electric field strength increases, the pore in the cell membrane enlarges, causing a loss of membrane intactness and the direct killing of cancer cells. This phenomenon is explored by molecular dynamics simulation. The electric field in the range of 0.8–5 V/nm is used for membrane dynamics. The membrane deformation occurs at the electric field of 5 V/nm. Picosecond pulsed electric field has a wealth of ultra-band spectrum, with extended time and enhanced spatial resolution and low signal distortion. The ultra-wide band antenna is used as a pulse delivery system for non-invasive skin cancer therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of ECE, College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, 600025, Tamil Nadu, India

    Arockiasamy Petrishia & Mohan Sasikala

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  1. Arockiasamy Petrishia
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  2. Mohan Sasikala
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Correspondence to Arockiasamy Petrishia.

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Petrishia, A., Sasikala, M. Molecular Simulation of Cell Membrane Deformation by Picosecond Intense Electric Pulse. J Membrane Biol 248, 1015–1020 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-015-9812-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-015-9812-y

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