An innovative method of introducing genes into cells

An innovative method of introducing genes using the technique of electroporation, a drop of liquid containing foreign DNA and cells between electrodes in a dielectric liquid is exposed to an external electric field. This method can contribute to the development of biomedical inventions in the field of high-throughput screening.

Living cells express genes involved in physiological functions, such as development and metabolism, within complex mechanisms. The cell membrane protects the genome from various external molecules. Inserting genes into cells is a basic method used to introduce molecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins and drugs, into living cells.

Electroporation is a common method for transferring molecules that can be introduced into cells through temporary holes that form in the cell membrane, holes that are created as a result of exposing the cells to electrical pulses. At the same time, most commercial methods of this type require the use of professional pulse generators to produce short electrical pulses at high voltage. Now, researchers from the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences at Toyohashi University in Japan have developed an innovative gene insertion method: water-in-oil (W/O) droplet electroporation that provides good insertion efficiency. Within this method, when a drop is placed between a pair of electrodes in dielectric oil and is exposed to a direct current (DC) electric field, it moves cyclically between the pair of electrodes and deforms as a result.

The main researcher explains: "Electroporation with water droplets in oil is activated with the help of a normal direct current power source, a fact that eliminates the need for expensive and particularly professional equipment. In addition, the size of the drop in the innovative method is quite small, this is compared to the size of the drops in existing methods, a fact that allows the use of a smaller amount of raw materials during high-yield sieving." The researcher adds and says: "Electroporation with water droplets in oil has several advantages compared to normal insertion methods: a smaller number of cells is required, in the amount of 1000 cells; A small amount of DNA is required, a condition that makes the method applicable for different types of cells, including nerve cells. In conclusion - this method can contribute to the development of biomedical inventions in the field of high-throughput screening, that is, scanning of a considerable amount of samples in applications of regenerative medicine and healing with the help of genes."

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