Transmembrane electrical potential, intact cell

When a large electric field is applied across a cell, the transmembrane potential is disrupted and pores are formed on the surface of the membrane. This phenomenon is called electroporation and is often used for gene transfection. As conventionally implemented, the process is reversible, and when the electric field is terminated, the pores close. The phenomenon can also be used to cause permanent disruption of the membrane, effectively lysing the cell. There have been several reports (Ml the use of electric lysis techniques in micM ofluidic devices [9-11]. Of particular interest, fast lysis of individual cells ( 33 ms) by electric pulses for chemical cytometry was demonstrated in a micM ofluidic platform [12]. These extremely rapid lysis methods which minimize unwanted effects of slow lysis (that may bias the results) make these techniques favorable for protein analysis when compared to chemical lysis techniques. One drawback of electric lysis is that much of the cell membrane, subcellular structures, and the nucleus may remain intact and thus can clog the channel or adhere to the surface, affecting the separation and limiting the capacity for reuse. 

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