Journal of Biomolecular Research & Therapeutics

Electroporation: A Technique for Gene Therapy

Min Hae^* Department of Genetics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
^*Correspondence: Min Hae, Department of Genetics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA, Email:

Received: 03-Apr-2023, Manuscript No. BOM-23-21238; Editor assigned: 06-Apr-2023, Pre QC No. BOM-23-21238(PQ); Reviewed: 20-Apr-2023, QC No. BOM-23-21238; Revised: 27-Apr-2023, Manuscript No. BOM-23-21238(R); Published: 05-May-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2167-7956.23.12.285

Description

Electroporation is a technique that involves the application of an electrical field to cells or tissues, resulting in the formation of transient pores in the cell membrane. These pores allow molecules, such as DNA or drugs, to enter the cell or tissue which can be useful for a variety of applications including gene therapy, drug delivery and biotechnology. The mechanism of electroporation involves the application of an electrical field to cells or tissues, which causes the formation of temporary pores in the cell membrane. The electrical field causes a change in the membrane potential of the cell, which leads to the formation of pores. The pores are thought to be formed due to the breakdown of lipid bilayer, which is the main component of the cell membrane. The electrical field can cause the lipid bilayer to undergo a structural change which results in the formation of hydrophilic channels in the membrane. These channels allow molecules to enter the cell or tissue.

One of the most significant applications of electroporation is in gene therapy. Gene therapy involves the transfer of genetic material to a patient's cells to treat or prevent disease. Electroporation can be used to introduce the genetic material into cells. The cells are first removed from the patient, and the genetic material is introduced into the cells using electroporation. The cells are then reintroduced into the patient's body where they can produce the therapeutic protein encoded by the introduced gene. Electroporation can also be used for drug delivery. By creating pores in the cell membrane, electroporation can allow drugs to enter the cell or tissue more easily. This can be useful for delivering drugs that would not normally be able to enter the cell or tissue due to their size or chemical properties. Electroporation can also be used for the delivery of vaccines, which can be useful in the development of new vaccines or in the delivery of vaccines to areas where refrigeration may not be available. In biotechnology research, electroporation is used for the introduction of molecules, such as DNA or proteins, into cells or tissues. This can be useful for studying the effects of specific molecules on cellular processes. Electroporation has also been used in the creation of transgenic animals, such as mice, by introducing foreign DNA into the animal's embryonic stem cells.

Despite its many applications, electroporation has some limitations. One of the main limitations is that it can be damaging to cells or tissues. The electrical field used for electroporation can cause cells to rupture or die which can limit the effectiveness of the technique. This can be mitigated by using lower voltages and shorter pulse durations. Another limitation of electroporation is that it is not very efficient. Only a small percentage of cells are typically transfected with the introduced genetic material or drugs. This can make it difficult to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. In conclusion, electroporation is a technique that has found applications in various fields of science and medicine. The technique involves the application of an electrical field to cells or tissues resulting in the formation of transient pores in the cell membrane. These pores allow molecules such as DNA or drugs to enter the cell or tissue which can be useful for a variety of applications including gene therapy, drug delivery and biotechnology research. Despite its limitations, electroporation remains a useful technique for many applications, and ongoing research is aimed at improving its effectiveness and safety. The electrical field causes a change in the membrane potential of the cell which leads to the formation of pores. The pores are thought to be formed due to the breakdown of lipid bilayer which is the main component of the cell membrane. The electrical field can cause the lipid bilayer to undergo a structural change which results in the formation of hydrophilic channels in the membrane. These channels allow molecules to enter the cell or tissue.