Submit to Applied Sciences Review for Applied Sciences Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Related Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2023) | Viewed by 24170

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Vitalij Novickij

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Institute of High Magnetic Fields, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
2. Department of Immunology, Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: bioelectromagnetics; bioelectronics; high-power electronics; electromagnetic field effects; electroporation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electroporation is a phenomenon of biological cell membrane permeabilization triggered by a pulsed electric field; it is accompanied by the electro-transfer of target molecules inside or outside the cell. It is widely used in biomedicine, food processing, biotechnology, and other applied sciences. Depending on the electric field parameters, a variety of electroporation-mediated biological effects can be triggered, which require state-of-the-art technological platforms for pulse generation, metrology, and application. As a result, the development of electroporation systems is constantly performed, and the array of applications is systemically expanded. This Special Issue is dedicated to all aspects of applied electroporation research, as well as the development of pulsed power devices.

Dr. Vitalij Novickij
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

electroporation
electropermeabilization
cell membrane permeability
electric field effects
bioelectromagnetics
drug delivery
electrochemotherapy
microbial inactivation
food processing and preservation
pulsed power devices
high-voltage generators
electroporators
irreversible electroporation
tissue ablation
lipid pores
electrotransformation
nanosecond and microsecond pulses
electric field processing
extraction of molecules
pulsed treatment
biomass processing
non-thermal processing

Related Special Issue

Electroporation Systems and Applications in Applied Sciences (9 articles)

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 724 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue on Electroporation Systems and Applications

by Vitalij Novickij

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 3109; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app13053109 - 28 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1123

Abstract

High pulsed electric fields (PEF) trigger the phenomenon of a transient increase in the permeability of the plasma membranes of biological cells, which is known as electroporation [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

13 pages, 5301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemotherapy with Bleomycin Supported by NIRF Imaging with Indocyanine Green (ICG)—In Vitro and In Vivo Case Study

by Joanna Tunikowska, Nina Rembiałkowska, Olga Michel, Justyna Mączyńska, Agnieszka Antończyk, Przemysław Prządka, Zdzisław Kiełbowicz and Julita Kulbacka

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2027; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app13042027 - 04 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1504

Abstract

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) with bleomycin has been effectively used in recent years to treat various skin tumors. Microsecond electric pulses significantly improve bleomycin (BLM) delivery and its anticancer potential. Up to now, we can determine electric field distribution in the targeted tissue, however, the distribution of the injected drug is still not well known. In this study, we propose the combination of indocyanine green (ICG) with bleomycin as a practical approach for ECT, enabling drug distribution control and detection. Normal skeletal muscle (L6) and fibrosarcoma (WEHI-164) cells were used for the viability evaluation by MTT assay after 24 and 72 h. Cells were exposed to the ESOPE protocol alone and in combination with drugs. Additionally, visualization of the uptake of ICG and ICG + BLM supported by electroporation was performed by confocal microscopy. The mast cell tumor (MCTs) was diagnosed in the feline case. The mixture of ICG + BLM was injected into the tumor, and ECT was performed under near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF). The obtained results indicate the safety of the used procedure in vitro and in vivo. ICG does not affect ECT protocols in vitro. No significant cell viability decrease was noted only in the case of WEHI-164 cells post-ECT. Moreover, it does not adversely affect the procedure; in the case of in vivo surgery, it helps to control the drug distribution before and after ECT and identify the sentinel lymph node. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Calcium Ions on the Electrotransfer Efficiency of Plasmid DNA and Cell Viability

by Rūta Palepšienė, Martynas Maciulevičius, Paulius Ruzgys, Baltramiejus Jakštys and Saulius Šatkauskas

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1983; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app13031983 - 03 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1324

Abstract

Gene electrotransfer (GET) is recognized as a promising technique for the development of an efficient tool for gene therapy. Such a therapy would have applications in the treatment of a variety of genetic diseases, including cancer. However, despite its wide applicability, the technique is limited by the lack of understanding of the fundamental mechanism of electroporation as well as other important factors that directly or indirectly influence its success rate. In the current study, we analyzed the impact of low concentrations (0–1 mM) of Ca²⁺ on the process of DNA electrotransfer using flow cytometry. The results revealed that the presence of a CaCl₂ concentration as low as 0.25 mM decreased the efficiency of GET by ~1.5-fold and cell viability decreased by ~2–3-fold. In addition, we determined that the observed phenomenon of the decrease in pDNA electrotransfer due to the influence of Ca²⁺ was not the consequence of cell death but rather should be attributed to secondary mechanisms. The data presented in this study provide an insight into the importance of Ca²⁺ in the process of gene electrotransfer that may be directly applicable to in vivo settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2623 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Killing Bacteria Using Acetic Acid and Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields—An In Vivo Superficial Infection Model Study and Immune Response

by Emilija Perminaitė, Auksė Zinkevičienė, Veronika Malyško-Ptašinskė, Eivina Radzevičiūtė, Jurij Novickij, Irutė Girkontaitė and Vitalij Novickij

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 836; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app13020836 - 07 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1954

Abstract

Invasive infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria are a problem responsible for many fatal cases, especially in burn wound care centers, while bacterial resistance to antibiotics is growing dramatically worldwide. In this work, we utilize pulsed electric fields (up to 25 kV/cm × 750 ns) in combination with low-concentration (1%) acetic acid for the inactivation of P. aeruginosa. An in vivo superficial infection model is developed in BALB/C mice using a luminescent strain of P. aeruginosa. We show that an up to 25 kV/cm electric field (3 kV, 1.2 mm gap), when combined with acetic acid, induces a bacteriostatic effect, preventing further infection for up to 7 days after treatment. Additionally, we evaluate antibodies against surface and intracellular P. aeruginosa bacteria antigens following the treatment. It is shown that the levels of surface IgG and IgG1 antibodies are significantly lower in the murine serum of electric-field-treated mice compared to the bacterial-infection-bearing group of mice treated with acetic acid alone. The results of this work are useful as a proof of concept for the development of novel clinical procedures to fight drug-resistive microorganisms responsible for wound contamination and chronic wounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

50 pages, 15112 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Gene Transfection by Electroporation—In Vitro and In Silico Study of Pulse Parameters

by Tjaša Potočnik, Shaurya Sachdev, Tamara Polajžer, Alenka Maček Lebar and Damijan Miklavčič

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8237; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12168237 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2333

Abstract

Gene electrotransfer (GET) is a widely used method for nucleic acids’ delivery into cells. We explored, evaluated, and demonstrated the potential use of different pulse durations for introducing plasmid DNA (pDNA) into cells in vitro and compared the efficiency and dynamics of transgene expression after GET. We performed experiments on cell suspensions of 1306 fibroblasts and C2C12 myoblasts with four ranges of pulse durations (nanosecond, high frequency bipolar (HF-BP), and micro- and millisecond). Six different concentrations of pDNA encoding green fluorescent protein were used. We show that GET can be achieved with nanosecond pulses with a low pulse repetition rate (10 Hz). The GET’s efficiency depends on the pDNA concentration and cell line. Time dynamics of transgene expression are comparable between millisecond, microsecond, HF-BP, and nanosecond pulses but depend greatly on cell line. Lastly, based on the data obtained in the experiments of pDNA concentration effect on GET the model of the probability of pDNA and cell membrane contact during GET was developed. The model shows that pDNA migration is dominated by diffusion for nanosecond and HF-BP pulses and by electrophoresis for micro- and millisecond pulses. Modeling results can provide valuable guidance for further experiments and interpretations of the results obtained by various pulse protocols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 3562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response Surface Methodology as a Tool for Optimization of Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatment and Microwave-Convective Drying of Apple

by Aleksandra Matys, Magdalena Dadan, Dorota Witrowa-Rajchert, Oleksii Parniakov and Artur Wiktor

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(7), 3392; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12073392 - 27 Mar 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2218

Abstract

The benefits of using hybrid drying are increasingly remarked. Microwave-convective drying (MW-CD) links the advantages of both microwave and convective drying methods and allows the negative phenomena that appear when the methods are used separately to diminish. Most importantly, reduced specific energy consumption and relatively short drying time are observed, which can be additionally decreased by the application of various preliminary treatments, e.g., pulsed electric field (PEF). Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of PEF pretreatment on the MW-CD of apples and its chosen physicochemical properties. This research was designed using response surface methodology (RSM). The first variable was microwave power (100, 200, and 300 W), and the second was specific energy input (1, 3.5, and 6 kJ/kg). Optimization responses were assumed: drying time to MR = 0.02, water activity, hygroscopicity after 72 h, rehydration ratio, relative dry matter content, total phenolic content, ability to scavenge ABTS^•+ radical cations, and DPPH^• radicals based on the EC₅₀ values. The most optimal parameters were comprised of specific energy intake of 3.437 kJ/kg and microwave power of 300 W (desirability equalled 0.624), which provided the most minimized drying time and obtaining of apples with the most desired properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 6682 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Prediction of the Potential Distribution Induced by Cylindrical Electrodes within a Homogeneous Rectangular Grid during Irreversible Electroporation

by Pierre Agnass, Krijn P. van Lienden, Thomas M. van Gulik, Marc G. Besselink, Johannes Crezee and H. Petra Kok

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1471; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12031471 - 29 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2177

Abstract

Background: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an ablation technique based on the application of short, high-voltage pulses between needle electrodes (diameter: ~1.0 × 10⁻³ m). A Finite Difference-based software simulating IRE treatment generally uses rectangular grids, yielding discretization issues when modeling cylindrical electrodes and potentially affecting the validity of treatment planning simulations. Aim: Develop an Electric-Potential Estimation (EPE) method for accurate prediction of the electric-potential distribution in the vicinity of cylindrical electrodes. Methods: The electric-potential values in the voxels neighboring the cylindrical electrode voxels were corrected based on analytical solutions derived for coaxial/cylindrical electrodes. Simulations at varying grid resolutions were validated using analytical models. Low-resolution heterogeneous simulations at 2.0 × 10⁻³ m excluding/including EPE were compared with high-resolution results at 0.25 × 10⁻³ m. Results: EPE significantly reduced maximal errors compared to analytical results for the electric-potential distributions (26.6–71.8%→0.4%) and for the electrical resistance (30%→1–6%) at 3.0 × 10⁻³ m voxel-size. EPE significantly improved the mean-deviation (43.1–52.8%→13.0–24.3%) and the calculation-time gain (>15,000×) of low-resolution compared to high-resolution heterogeneous simulations. Conclusions: EPE can accurately predict the potential distribution of neighboring cylindrical electrodes, regardless of size, position, and orientation in a rectangular grid. The simulation time of treatment planning can therefore be shortened by using large voxel-sized models without affecting accuracy of the electric-field distribution, enabling real-time clinical IRE treatment planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 26839 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Frequency Bipolar Electroporator with Double-Crowbar Circuit for Load-Independent Forming of Nanosecond Pulses

by Vitalij Novickij, Gediminas Staigvila, Arūnas Murauskas, Nina Rembialkowska, Julita Kulbacka and Jurij Novickij

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1370; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12031370 - 27 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2067

Abstract

In this work, a novel electroporation system (electroporator) is presented, which is capable of forming high frequency pulses in a broad range of parameters (65 ns–100 µs). The electroporator supports voltages up to 3 kV and currents up to 40 A and is based on H-bridge circuit topology. A synchronized double crowbar driving sequence is introduced to generate short nanosecond range pulses independently of the electroporator load. The resultant circuit generates pulses with repetition frequencies up to 5 MHz and supports unipolar, bipolar, and asymmetrical pulse sequences with arbitrary waveforms. The shortest pulse duration step is hardware limited to 33 ns. The electroporator was experimentally tested on the H69AR human lung cancer cell line using 20 kV/cm bipolar and unipolar 100 ns–1 μs pulses. Based on a YO-PRO-1 permeabilization assay, it was determined that the electroporator is suitable for applied research on electroporation. The system offers high flexibility in experimental design to trigger various electroporation-based phenomena. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) on Bacterial Viability and Whey Protein in the Processing of Raw Milk

by Aivaras Šalaševičius, Dovilė Uždavinytė, Mindaugas Visockis, Paulius Ruzgys and Saulius Šatkauskas

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11281; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112311281 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3615

Abstract

There is growing concern regarding the nutritional value of processed food products. Although thermal pasteurization, used in food processing, is a safe method and is widely applied in the food industry, food products lack quality and nutritional value because of the high temperatures used during pasteurization. In this study, the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) processing on whey protein content and bacterial viability in raw milk was evaluated by changing the PEF strength and number of pulses. For comparison, traditional pasteurization techniques, such as low-temperature long-time (LTLT), ultra-high temperature (UHT), and microfiltration (MF), were also tested for total whey protein content, bacterial activity, and coliforms. We found that, after treatment with PEF, a significant decrease in total bacterial viability of 2.43 log and coliforms of 0.9 log was achieved, although undenatured whey protein content was not affected at 4.98 mg/mL. While traditional pasteurization techniques showed total bacterial inactivation, they were detrimental for whey protein content: β-lactoglobulin was not detected using HPLC in samples treated with UHT. LTLT treatment led to a significant decrease of 75% in β-lactoglobulin concentration; β-lactoglobulin content in milk samples treated with MF was the lowest compared to LTLT and UHT pasteurization, and ~10% and 27% reduction was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Nanoparticles as Nanoelectrodes in Contact-Less Cell Membrane Permeabilization by Time-Varying Magnetic Field: A Computational Study

by Emma Chiaramello, Serena Fiocchi, Marta Bonato, Silvia Gallucci, Martina Benini and Marta Parazzini

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11121; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112311121 - 23 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1349

Abstract

This paper describes a computational approach for the assessment of electric field enhancement by using highly conductive gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in time-varying electromagnetic fields cell membrane permeabilization, estimating the influence of the presence of Au NPs on transmembrane potential and on the pore opening dynamics. To account for variability and uncertainty about geometries and relative placement and aggregations of the Au NPs, three different NP configurations were considered: spherical Au NPs equally spaced around the cell; cubic Au NPs, for accounting for the possible edge effect, equally spaced around the cell; and spherical Au NPs grouped in clusters. The results show that the combined use of Au NPs and a time-varying magnetic field can significantly improve the permeabilization of cell membranes. The variability of NPs’ geometries and configurations in proximity of the cell membrane showed to have a strong influence on the pore opening mechanism. The study offers a better comprehension of the mechanisms, still not completely understood, underlying cell membrane permeabilization by time-varying magnetic fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

19 pages, 1868 KiB

Open AccessReview

Electroporation in Clinical Applications—The Potential of Gene Electrotransfer and Electrochemotherapy

by Katarzyna Rakoczy, Monika Kisielewska, Mikołaj Sędzik, Laura Jonderko, Julia Celińska, Natalia Sauer, Wojciech Szlasa, Jolanta Saczko, Vitalij Novickij and Julita Kulbacka

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(21), 10821; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app122110821 - 25 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3245

Abstract

Electroporation (EP) allows for the transport of molecules into the cytoplasm with significant effectiveness by forming transient pores in the cell membrane using electric pulses. This can be used for cellular transport (RE—reversible electroporation) or ablation (IRE—irreversible electroporation). The first of described options fortifies medicine with novel possibilities: electrochemotherapy (ECT), which creates promising perspectives for cancer treatment, and gene electrotransfer (GET), a powerful method of DNA delivery as well as immunogen electrotransfer. The review constitutes a comprehensive explanation of the mechanism of EP in the case of GET, its present and prospective employment in medicine, including gene delivery, vaccinations, therapy, and transfection, are also presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Electroporation Systems and Applications: Volume II

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (11 papers)

Editorial

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI