Boosting membrane transmissibility with an impulse electric field
Abstract
Conductivity of cells in PEF based on electroporation is specified by electrical membrane properties which are largely dependent on its geometric structure. Basic geometrical properties of a cell and a membrane are formulated in the article. They are defined as objects of mathematical modeling with a goal to theoretically ground the methodical modes of electroporation, dealing with pulse conductometry of cells. A probabilistic model of a cell conductivity is proposed for a membrane electroporation in PEF with increasing tension. Exponential characteristic of a cell conductivity growth is constructed assuming the increase in elektropor caliber until a membrane disruption occurs when critical field strength is reached. The developed model allows theoretically ground and compute field parameters, providing safe and critical modes of electroporation while performing pulse conductometry of living animal cells.