Applications of Electroporation in Biology
Electroporation is a biotechnological method that involves applying short, intense electrical pulses to cells, temporarily increasing the permeability of the cell membrane and allowing the entry of large molecules (such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and drugs) into the cell. Since this method can be applied to various cell types (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, plants, and animals) without the use of chemical or viral vectors, it is recognized as a versatile (platform) technology in biology. Electroporation has extensive applications in genetic engineering, the medical sciences, the food industry, and environmental biotechnology. For example, it has been used in gene transfer (transfection), the production of recombinant vaccines, cancer treatment, and food processing.
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Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering
Electroporation is a key tool in gene transfer methods. Using this method, foreign DNA or RNA can be introduced into bacteria, yeasts, and mammalian cells in laboratory culture. For instance, for decades, electroporation has been used to produce transgenic E. coli cells, yeast cells, and animal cells, such as those from mice or humans. Results show that electroporation can increase gene transfer efficiency by 100–1000 times and significantly enhance the number of cells that receive and express the target gene.
Cells that can undergo electroporation include:
- Bacteria and Yeasts: Electroporation is a standard method for transforming or introducing DNA into E. coli bacteria and yeasts. This method has higher efficiency than chemical methods (like calcium chloride) and is typically available in microbiology laboratories.
- Plant and Algal Cells: Although the plant cell wall complicates the process, electroporation has been used in some cases for gene transfer into plant protoplasts (plants whose cell walls have been removed). This method has also enabled bioengineers to engineer microscopic algae to produce valuable compounds. For example, electroporation has been used in algae, such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and species of Nannochloropsis, as well as other cyanobacteria, for gene transfer.
- Mammalian Cells: In cultured mammalian cells, electroporation is an effective method for introducing gene plasmids or RNA into cells. This application is the basis of much biomedical research, from the production of recombinant proteins to the development of disease cell models.
Considering these achievements, electroporation can facilitate the creation of transgenic organisms and simplify molecular cloning processes. Following successful gene transfer, the cells that receive the engineered gene rapidly proliferate, allowing for the production of large quantities of protein or genetic products.
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Medical and Therapeutic Applications
In the medical field, electroporation has applications in cancer treatment, gene therapy, and the production of biological vaccines. Since this method can introduce drugs or therapeutic molecules into target cells, it plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of targeted therapies. These medical applications have led to numerous clinical trials for cancer treatment and vaccine production, with the results of Phase I and II clinical trials confirming the safety and efficacy of this method.
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Electrochemotherapy:
Electrochemotherapy is a combination of chemotherapy and electroporation used for the local treatment of cancerous tumors. In this method, an anticancer drug (such as bleomycin) is first injected into the tumor site, and then an electrical pulse makes the membrane of the cancer cells permeable. Clinical studies have shown that in over 4000 patients treated with electrochemotherapy in Europe, a 78% therapeutic response was achieved, and 52% of tumors were completely eradicated.
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Irreversible Electroporation (IRE)
In the Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) method, strong, short pulses are applied to cancerous tissues to create permanent “nanopores” in the cell membrane, thereby destroying tumor cells without thermal damage. IRE is particularly useful for treating tumors near vital structures (such as blood vessels or nerves) because, unlike other thermal methods, it preserves the structure of the neighboring tissue matrix.
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Gene Therapy and Genetic Vaccination:
Electroporation helps the safe and efficient entry of therapeutic genes or DNA vaccines into the body’s cells. For example, in genetic diseases like muscular dystrophy, electroporation has been used to deliver a healthy copy of the gene to the muscle cells of patients. Furthermore, in the production of recombinant vaccines, electroporation has proven to be an effective method for increasing vaccine gene expression in host cells.
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Drug Development and Imaging:
In pharmaceutical research, electroporation is used to introduce fluorescent tracer molecules or genetic probes into cells to study intracellular biological processes. Additionally, in the production of transgenic animal models (animals that possess foreign genes), electroporation techniques have been utilized for genetic modification.
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Food Industry and Food Biotechnology
Electroporation is used in the food industry as a non-thermal method for food preservation and processing. Applying intense electrical pulses to food can destabilize the membrane of microbial cells without significantly affecting the flavor or nutrient molecules within the food. For example, studies have shown that electroporation can preserve the color, taste, and antioxidant content of food while eliminating bacteria and molds. This method is effective in processing juices, milk, canned goods, and other products with high shelf life. Additionally, electroporation increases the efficiency of intracellular compound extraction; for instance, pre-treatment with electrical pulses improves the extraction of juice from fruits or oil from seeds and algae.
- Food Preservation and Shelf Life: Using short, intense electrical pulses, pores are created in the membranes of microbial cells responsible for food spoilage, leading to their death. This process is done without heating, so the flavor and texture of the food remain intact.
- Nutrient Extraction: Before the extraction process (such as juicing or oil extraction) from fruits, vegetables, or seeds, an electrical pulse is applied to the plant tissue to make the cell membrane porous, allowing intracellular compounds to be released more easily. This pre-treatment can multiply the extraction yield.
- Quality Improvement: Reports indicate that electroporation, besides enhancing the quality of food products (such as preserving antioxidants and natural color), can lead to the development of new products (including those with specific textures) and the addition of new beneficial compounds to foods.
Therefore, in many research centers and modern factories, electroporation is considered a clean technology (without the need for chemical additives) for processing fruits, vegetables, juices, and other food materials.
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Other Applications (Environment and Industry)
The applications of electroporation in biology extend beyond the laboratory and the food industry and have been explored in various environmental and industrial fields. These applications demonstrate that electroporation can play a role in “treating and degrading microbial cells” as well as “increasing the efficiency of biotechnological processes.”
- Water and Wastewater Treatment: Electroporation can improve water quality by eliminating pathogens in water and wastewater (without adding chemical disinfectants). This method is proposed as a potential solution for rapid microbial disinfection in modern treatment plants.
- Increased Biogas Production: In the anaerobic digestion process of sewage sludge, pre-treating the sludge with intense electrical pulses causes the cellular structure of the biomass to open up, making organic materials available to methane-producing bacteria. Therefore, electroporation before anaerobic digestion leads to increased biogas (methane gas) production efficiency.
- Cell Freezing and Preservation (Cryopreservation): The controlled application of electrical pulses can uniformly displace intracellular water, preventing the formation of large ice crystals. Thus, cell survival after the freezing process, such as egg or sperm harvesting, is increased.
- Extraction of Industrial Biomaterials: In addition to food materials, electrical pulses have been utilized to extract compounds from algae and industrial plants. For example, the extraction of oil from microalgae and sugar from sugar beets with electrical pre-treatment has been reported.
In summary, electroporation is an interdisciplinary technology with applications not only in medicine and genetic engineering but also in fields such as the food industry, environmental science, and bioenergy production. Given the current successful results and the growing diversity of applications, it is predicted that electroporation will play a broader role soon in the development of sustainable medical and industrial technologies.
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Pars Tarava, Pioneer in the Electroporation Industry in Iran
Pars Tarava is Iran’s pioneering electroporation company and is now expanding this expertise to the algal sector. Since 2018, Pars Tarava has been the first and only manufacturer of electroporation and electrochemotherapy devices in Iran. The company’s electroporators (square wave and exponential systems up to 2500 volts) and related cuvettes and electrodes are proven tools in medical and laboratory settings. Relying on this background, Pars Tarava, by adapting its advanced devices for research and production in various fields of biology and biotechnology, assists experts, researchers, and producers.
Our devices enable precise control of electric field strength, pulse duration, and repetition rate, which is crucial for optimizing protocols. The Pars Tarava engineering team can collaborate with researchers to develop custom electroporation protocols. Expanding this collaboration is a key part of our company’s mission to bridge the gap between academic medical research and industrial applications. Pars Tarava is proud to be at the forefront of this field in Iran, offering indigenous, research-based solutions grounded in global scientific advancements.
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Future Prospects
Electroporation is a cutting-edge technology in the fields of biology and biotechnology. Current research contributes to the improvement of protocols related to every application of this technology, from gene transfer to electrochemotherapy and cancer treatment. In this context, collaboration between device developers and scientists plays a key role. Pars Tarava is ready to collaborate with universities and industry in providing advanced electroporation hardware and expertise.
For inquiries and free consultation about our electroporation systems, contact Pars Tarava today.
Contact Pars Tarava:
WhatsApp: 00989024051862
Email: info@persiantarava.me
