Methods and devices for electroporation

Abstract

An apparatus for electroporation of biological cells is provided. The apparatus includes a sample container having an insulator chamber for holding the cells. The sample container has a first electrode and a second electrode to provide electrical connection for electroporation. The insulator chamber is configured to contain at least one cell monolayer. The apparatus also includes a pulse generator that can generate a predetermined pulse for electroporation of the cells.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus for electroporation of biological cells, comprising:
 a sample container having an insulator chamber for holding cells, the sample container having a first electrode and a second electrode providing electrical connection for electroporation;   a first conductive medium layer containing an aqueous solution having solute ions; and   a surface formed on the first conductive medium layer,   wherein: the surface is configured to support at least one cell monolayer which is separated from the first electrode and the second electrode, and the first conductive medium layer directly conduct an electric pulse through the solute ions to the at least one cell monolayer through substantially the entire surface.   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein:
 at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a movable electrode and serves as a sealing cover confining a cell-containing sample within the insulator chamber and between the first electrode and the second electrode during the electrical pulse.   
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the insulator chamber has a groove on a first end of a wall of the insulator chamber for receiving extra liquid.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a precast porous matrix, wherein:   the first conductive medium layer is cast in the porous matrix.   
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a centrifuge configured to assist formation of the at least one cell monolayer by centrifugation.   
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , further including:
 a pulse generator configured to deliver an electric pulse to the sample container for electroporation during rotation.   
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a plurality of artificial insulator particles to form the at least one cell monolayer with the cells.   
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein:
 the pulse generator has a rechargeable battery for cordless function.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein:
 the pulse generator for generating the electrical pulse is integrated to the centrifuge.   
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein:
 the porous matrix is selected from the group consisting of agar, agarose based gel, silicone gel, polyacrylamide gel, collagen, gelatin gel, matrigel, hyaluronic acid gel, alginate gel, polyethylene glycol gel, methyl cellulose, modified cellulose based gel, acrylates gel, polyglycols gel, propylene glycol gel, silicone, resins, glass fibers, polymethacrylates, silicates, modified cellulose, polyvinyls, polylysine, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylamides and co-polymers.   
     
     
         44 . A process for electroporation of biological cells, comprising:
 providing a sample container for electroporation, the sample container having an insulator chamber for containing a cell sample, a first electrode and a second electrode providing electrical connection for electroporation, and a first conductive medium layer for forming a surface which is separated from the first electrode and the second electrode,   arranging cells to form at least one cell monolayer on the surface of the first conductive medium layer, the at least one cell monolayer being separated from the first electrode and the second electrode,   treating the cells in the at least one cell monolayer with a predetermined electrical pulse, the predetermined electrical pulse being generated by a pulse generator.   
     
     
         45 . The process of  claim 44 , further comprising:
 sealing the cell sample in the sample container by a tight closure.   
     
     
         46 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein:
 the cells are arranged to the at least one cell monolayer by natural gravity.   
     
     
         47 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein:
 the cells are arranged to the at least one cell monolayer by centrifugation.   
     
     
         48 . The process of  claim 47 , wherein:
 the cells are treated with the predetermined electrical pulse during the centrifugation.   
     
     
         49 . A process for electroporation of biological cells, comprising:
 providing a sample container for electroporation, the sample container having an insulator chamber for forming the body of the container to hold cells, a first electrode and a second electrode providing electrical connection for electroporation,   loading a sample containing biological cells to the sample container, the sample forming a convex surface after loading into the sample container,   forming a tight seal of the sample by the insulator chamber, the first electrode and the second electrode, an extra volume of the sample under the convex surface being pushed out by the sealing action,   treating the biological cells in the sample container confined between the insulator chamber and the two electrodes with a predetermined electrical pulse.   
     
     
         50 . The process of  claim 49 , wherein:
 the first electrode is in a cover configured to removably cover the insulator chamber, and the insulator chamber is configured to contain a groove on a top of one side of the insulator chamber, the cover being shaped to fit with the groove to seal the insulator chamber, the first electrode covering an inner rim of the groove on the side of the insulator chamber, the extra sample pushed out by sealing of the sample container is contained in the groove.   
     
     
         51 . The process of  claim 49 , wherein:
 the first electrode and the second electrode are fixed in the insulator chamber,   a groove is positioned on one side of the insulator chamber and on the electrodes, and   an insulator cover is configured to removably cover the insulator chamber, the extra sample pushed out by sealing of the sample container is contained in the groove.