EFFICIENT IN-SITU ELECTROPORATION OF MAMMALIAN-CELLS GROWN ON MICROPOROUS MEMBRANES

Electroporation is a common technique for the introduction of DNA mole cules into living cells, The method is currently limited by the necess ity of applying the electrical discharge to cells in suspension, Adher ent cells must therefore be removed from their substratum, which can i nduce unwanted physiological effects, We report here a new procedure f or in sitar electroporation of cells grown on microporous membranes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester (PE). We demonstrate th at this method of in sitar electroporation employs only readily availa ble materials and standard electroporation devices without any modific ations, is as efficient as conventional electroporation of cells in su spension, and is applicable to a wide range of cell types. Efficient e lectroporation can be achieved under conditions of minimal cell killin g, and can be performed with quiescent cells as well as with confluent epithelial sheets. The method is a useful extension of electroporatio n technology, and will allow the application of electroporation to a w ider spectrum of biological systems.