Flow-Through Comb Electroporation Device for Delivery of Macromolecules

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 85; no. 3; pp. 1637 - 1641
• Main Authors: Adamo, Andrea, Arione, Alessandro, Sharei, Armon, Jensen, Klavs F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 05.02.2013
• Subjects: Amanitins - administration & dosage; Amanitins - genetics; Amanitins - metabolism; Analytical chemistry; Cells; Electroporation - instrumentation; Electroporation - methods; Gene expression; Gene Transfer Techniques - instrumentation; HeLa Cells; Humans; Macromolecular Substances - administration & dosage; Macromolecular Substances - metabolism; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - methods; Molecules; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA, Small Interfering - administration & dosage; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; RNA, Small Interfering - metabolism; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac302887a

We present a microfluidic electroporation device with a comb electrode layout fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PMDS) and glass. Characterization experiments with HeLa cells and fluorescent dextran show efficient delivery (∼95%) with low toxicity (cell viability ∼85%) as well as rapid pore closure after electroporation. The activity of delivered molecules is also verified by silencing RNA (siRNA) studies that demonstrate gene knockdown in GFP expressing cells. This simple, scalable approach to microfluidic, flow-through electroporation could facilitate the integration of electroporation modules within cell analysis devices that perform multiple operations.