Electroporation is performed in a controlled manner in either individual or multiple biological cells or
biological tissue by monitoring the
electrical impedance, defined herein as the ratio of current to
voltage in the
electroporation cell. The impedance detects the onset of
electroporation in the
biological cell(s), and this information is used to control the intensity and duration of the
voltage to assure that
electroporation has occurred without destroying the
cell(s). This is applicable to electroporation in general. In addition, a particular method and apparatus are disclosed in which electroporation and / or
mass transfer across a
cell membrane are accomplished by securing a cell across an opening in a barrier between two chambers such that the cell closes the opening. The barrier is either electrically insulating, impermeable to the solute, or both, depending on whether pore formation, diffusive transport of the solute across the membrane, or both are sought.
Electroporation is achieved by applying a
voltage between the two chambers, and diffusive transport is achieved either by a difference in solute concentration between the liquids surrounding the cell and the cell interior or by a differential in concentration between the two chambers themselves.
Electric current and diffusive transport are restricted to a flow path that passes through the opening.