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This study focuses on the use of pulsed electric fields PEF in microfluidics for controlled cell studies. The commonly used material for soft lithography, polydimethylsiloxane PDMS , does not fully ensure the necessary chemical and mechanical resistance in these systems. Integration of specific analytical measurement setups into microphysiological systems MPS are also challenging.
We present an off-stoichiometry thiol-ene OSTE -based microchip, containing integrated electrodes for PEF and transepithelial electrical resistance TEER measurement and the equipment to monitor pH and oxygen concentration in situ. The effects of PEF treatment on cell viability and permeability to the fluorescent dye DapI were tested in two modes: stop flow and continuous flow. The maximum permeability was achieved at 1. Two integrated sensors detected changes in oxygen concentration before and after the PEF treatment, and the pH shifted towards alkalinity following PEF treatment.
Therefore, our proof-of-concept technology serves as an MPS for PEF treatment of mammalian cells, enabling in situ physiological monitoring. Electroporation is a technique that modifies the permeability of a cell membrane by subjecting it to a pulsed electric field PEF. PEF causes changes in the cell's bilipid membrane, creating hydrophilic pores through which molecules can move in and out of a cell 1.
The effects of PEF treatment on a cell depend on various factors, including the intensity, duration, number of pulses, and frequency of the applied electric field. Reversible electroporation is a process that introduces temporary changes to membrane structure to enable gene electrotransfer, drug delivery or tissue engineering while preserving the integrity of the cells. This technique offers a safe and effective means of achieving these objectives without harming the cell 2.
