Biological cell electroporation using nanosecond electrical pulses

Abstract

Nanosecond electroporation has a range of applications including gene therapy and treatment of melanoma tumors. On applying a nanosecond high voltage pulse, potential differences are generated across the membranes of the internal organelles resulting in its electroporation. This paper investigates the effect of nanosecond high voltage pulses simulated on a biological cell placed in a conductive medium (water). The effect of cell size, shape (spherical and elliptical) and membrane thickness on electroporation is investigated. Significant difference in the field was observed indicating the importance of these factors in the success of electroporation in the event of application of external nanosecond high voltage electrical pulse.