Abstract
Ultrasound-enhanced gene transfer (UEGT) is continuing to gain interest across many disciplines; however, very few studies investigate UEGT efficiency across a range of frequencies. Using a variable frequency generator, UEGT was tested in E. coli at six ultrasonic frequencies. Results indicate frequency can significantly influence UEGT efficiency positively and negatively. A frequency of 61 kHz improved UEGT efficiency by ~70 % higher, but 99 kHz impeded UEGT to an extent worse than no ultrasound exposure. The other four frequencies (26, 133, 174, and 190 kHz) enhanced transformation compared to no ultrasound, but efficiencies did not vary. The influence of frequency on UEGT efficiency was observed across a range of operating frequencies. It is plausible that frequency-dependent dynamics of mechanical and chemical energies released during cavitational-bubble collapse (CBC) are responsible for observed UEGT efficiencies.
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Acknowledgments
Funding was provided by University of Strathclyde Bridging the Gap funds (#17435 DP2126). The authors thank Dr Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay (Glasgow University) for her inspiration and initial discussions.
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Deeks, J., Windmill, J., Agbeze-Onuma, M. et al. Frequency-dependent ultrasound-induced transformation in E. coli . Biotechnol Lett 36, 2461–2465 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-014-1618-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-014-1618-y