Cell Culture Plate Electrodes
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– Direct DNA/RNA transfer to adherent cells in multi-well plates
– Efficient transfection without the need for cell separation
– Ideal for advanced research in cell biology and genetics
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Product Introduction
Cell culture plate electrodes are a specialized laboratory tool designed for use in standard cell culture plates (such as 6-well, 12-well, 24-well, or 96-well plates). This product allows for the precise application of direct electrical pulses to cultured cells in the wells. In simple terms, these electrodes enable processes like electroporation – the direct insertion of DNA/RNA into living cells – without the need to detach cells from the culture surface. As a result, researchers can effectively transfect adherent, sensitive cells (such as primary neurons or stem cells) without the damaging effects of cell separation. These electrodes are compatible with standard electroporation devices and provide a reliable interface between the device and the cell culture environment. In short, cell culture plate electrodes are advanced tools for controlled electric field application in cell culture wells, widely used in modern cell biology and genetic engineering research.
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Common Applications of Cell Culture Plate Electrodes
This product is widely used in various cell culture research applications, allowing researchers to conduct electrical experiments on cells directly within the culture dish. Some common applications include:
– Gene Transfection and Protein Expression: Introducing plasmid DNA, mRNA, or gene editing molecules (such as CRISPR/Cas9) into cells that are difficult to transfect, such as stem or primary cells, for genetic research and gene expression studies.
– Neuroscience Research: Manipulating and electrically stimulating cultured neurons or genetically modifying them to study neural network functions, neurite growth, and electrophysiological responses in vitro.
– Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Studies: Introducing transcription factors or gene editors into embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in culture wells to induce differentiation or genetic modifications for regenerative medicine applications.
– Cancer and Immunology Research: Transfecting cancer cells or immune cells (such as T lymphocytes) with reporter genes, specific receptors, or antigens to study tumor behavior or develop new treatments such as CAR-T cells.
– Drug Discovery and High-Throughput Screening: Using in High-Throughput assays that require simultaneous manipulation of numerous cell samples in 96- or 48-well plates. Cell culture plate electrodes allow independent electrical stimulation in each well, enabling rapid evaluation of gene entry or various compound effects on cells.
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Advantages of Cell Culture Plate Electrodes
Cell culture plate electrodes offer significant advantages over traditional transfection and cell stimulation methods:
– Cell Viability and Survival:
Because these electrodes do not require detaching cells from the culture surface for electroporation, less mechanical and chemical stress is applied to the cells. Cells can remain in their regular culture environment, reducing toxic effects and damage. Reports have shown that even sensitive cells like primary neurons, immune cells, and stem cells exhibit high viability and efficient transfection after electroporation with these electrodes, unlike older methods where gene transfer often led to high mortality or low efficiency.
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– High Molecular Transfer Efficiency:
The advanced design of these electrodes creates a uniform electric field across the well floor, ensuring that the entire cell population is evenly exposed. This uniformity results in higher transfection efficiency in each experiment. Compared to chemical methods (such as lipofection), which may not be effective on certain cell types or may be time-consuming, electroporation with these electrodes is fast, versatile, and highly efficient. Additionally, the absence of intermediary chemicals eliminates potential contaminants (such as toxicity from chemical transfection reactions).
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– Ease of Use and Time Savings:
These electrodes are easily placed into the wells and connected to the electroporation device cables. The setup is straightforward; simply keep the regular culture medium in the well and insert the electrode. No special conductive medium or specific electroporation buffer is required.
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– Optimized Design and Versatility:
The ergonomic design, with complete insulation of the electrode body (except for the contact surface), increases safety and experimental accuracy. The insulation around the electrode ensures that the electric current is concentrated through the electrode surface, applied directly to the cell culture, preventing leakage to other areas or short circuits with the well walls. Additionally, the varying sizes of these electrodes (for different well sizes) ensure compatibility with almost any standard cell culture plate. You can select the appropriate electrode for 96-, 48-, 24-, 12-, or 6-well plates, ensuring a perfect fit in the well floor and coverage of all cultured cells.
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Technical Features
This product is engineered with high precision to ensure reliable and repeatable performance. Here are some important technical features:
– Electrode Placement on the Well Floor: The conductive electrode surface is designed as a flat (disk-shaped) plate that fits into the well floor, making close contact with adherent cells. For example, in the suitable model for 24-well plates, it covers almost the entire well floor. This relatively large surface ensures that all cultured cells are exposed to the electric field. The electrode plate’s thickness is minimal to cause minimal disruption in the culture volume and prevent bubble formation or detachment from the cells.
– Controlled Electrode Spacing: Each electrode pair consists of two conductive parts placed a certain distance apart. This distance is precisely engineered and determines the electric field strength in the culture. The spacing creates an optimal balance between generating a strong field for molecule penetration and preventing excessive heating of the environment. Consistent spacing between electrodes in each use ensures reliable and comparable experimental results.
– Insulated Body and High Safety: The conductive metal parts of the electrode are surrounded by a durable electrical insulation layer (shown in black in the image). This insulation is typically made from a heat- and chemical-resistant specialty polymer, which prevents unintended electrical contact with the well walls or the user’s hands, while providing high durability. Effective insulation ensures that the electrical current is only transferred from the lower surface of the electrode to the cell culture, applying the electric field precisely to the cell area.
– Dimensions and Material Quality: The cylindrical body of the electrode is designed to fit easily into the well and remain in a fixed position. The outer diameter of the insulated part fits snugly in the well opening of a 24-well plate, preventing direct contact of metal with the well walls. The conductive metal parts are made of materials selected for excellent conductivity and resistance to rust and corrosion. The use of high-quality materials enhances the electrode’s longevity and allows repeated sterilization without performance degradation.
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Who Should Use Cell Culture Plate Electrodes?
Cell culture plate electrodes are versatile and general tools for biomedical research, making them suitable for a wide range of researchers and research centers. Specifically, this product is highly valuable for researchers in cell and molecular biology who work with cell culture. Below are some key user groups:
– Stem Cell Researchers: Those working with embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and needing a reliable method for introducing genes or regulatory factors into these cells (for studying differentiation processes, genetic engineering, etc.).
– Neuroscience Specialists: Researchers working with neural cells (neurons and glial cells) in culture. These electrodes are ideal for transfecting reporter genes or stimulants into primary neurons and for electrically stimulating neural networks in culture to study electrophysiological responses.
– Immunology and Cancer Scientists: Those working with immune cells (such as lymphocytes, dendritic cells) or tumor cell lines and wishing to express specific genes or study signaling pathways via genetic manipulation in these cells. For example, in the development of cell-based immunotherapies (such as CAR-T cells), this tool can be used for introducing chimeric receptors into lymphocytes.
– Pharmaceutical and Drug Screening Scientists: In pharmaceutical companies or drug discovery laboratories, where the rapid and reliable testing of hundreds of chemical compounds on cells is necessary, these electrodes enable high-throughput experiments. Researchers can perform tests on numerous samples simultaneously in multi-well plates, for example, using reporter genes to indicate the cell’s response to a drug.
– Biomedical Engineers and Tissue Engineering Specialists: Those working in bioelectronics and tissue engineering who may need to electrically stimulate cells for differentiation or tissue growth. These electrodes enable the application of a controlled electric field to cultured cells on scaffolds or 3D matrices within wells, making them ideal for interdisciplinary research combining electricity and biology.
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In general, any researcher working with cell culture who needs a reliable, efficient, and precise method for manipulating cultured cells or tissues will benefit from this product. From university laboratories to pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development sectors, cell culture plate electrodes can enhance the quality and speed of research and increase confidence in experimental results.
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This product has passed all necessary tests according to medical equipment standards in accredited laboratories and is suitable for use in all laboratories related to biological sciences and tissue engineering. For consultations and to receive a catalog, you can contact us at +98 902 405 1862 via WhatsApp or info@persiantarava.me.
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