Quantifying the Effects of Extracellular Conductivity on Transport During Electroporation

Electroporation is an effective means to permeabilize the cell membrane and deliver biologically active molecules (such DNA, RNA, dyes, etc…) into the cell cytoplasm, while maintaining cell viability and functionality [1]. Despite extensive research, electroporation still suffers from major drawbacks such as high cell death and low delivery efficiency. In the past, studies focused mainly on permeabilization of the membrane during electroporation while transport of molecules from one side of the membrane to the other has been overlooked. Previous experimental work demonstrated an inverse relation between the electrical conductivity of the extracellular buffer and total concentration delivered into cells [2]. This inverse correlation suggests that additional molecular transport mechanisms, besides diffusion, govern the delivery into cells.