Method for electro-permeabilization of individual cellular and organellar structures and use thereof
US6521430B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/306
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for permeabilization of a cell structure consisting of a single cell, an intracellular structure or an organelle comprising the following steps: (a) microelectrodes, preferably two carbon fibre electrodes or hollow fibre electrodes, are provided, (b) the microelectrodes are connected to a power supply, (c) the electrodes, individually controlled by high-graduation micromanipulators, are placed close to the cell structure at an appropriate inter-electrode distance, and (d) a highly focused electric field of a strength sufficient to obtain electroporation is applied between the electrodes. The method may be used in order to transfer cell impermeant solutes, such as drugs or genes, into the cell structure or out of the cell structure, in biosensors, in the treatment of tumours and neurodegenerative diseases and in the study of biophysical processes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.