How Electroporators Work & How We Can Save Your Lab Time & Money
Despite the diversity in methods, Excedr’s lease program is able to source all instrument types and can accommodate any brand preferences your end-user might have. Request an estimate today and see how leasing can discount your electroporator price.
All equipment brands/models are available
The Advantages of Excedr’s Electroporator Leasing Program:
- Eliminates the upfront cost of purchasing equipment by spreading its cost over time
- Minimizes equipment downtime with included complete repair coverage and preventive maintenance
- Takes advantage of potentially 100% tax deductible* payments, providing you significant cash-savings
- Expedites the administrative work needed for instrument procurement and logistics
- Conserves working capital, enabling you to reinvest in your core business and operations (staffing, inventory, marketing/sales, etc.)
- Accommodates all manufacturer and model preferences
*Please consult your tax advisor to determine the full tax implications of leasing equipment.
Microbiology is home to a wide variety of specialized techniques, including electroporation.
Electroporation, less commonly referred to as electropermeabilization, is a physical transfection method that applies specific high-voltage electrical pulses to eukaryotic cells in a sample to increase the permeability of the cellular membrane. It is most commonly used in molecular biology research.
The technique is tremendously useful for allowing DNA, pDNA (plasmid DNA), RNA, mRNA (messenger RNA), RNPs (ribonucleoprotein), and proteins, as well as pharmaceuticals, and various chemicals to be introduced and integrated into the cell’s structure. Additionally, electroporation is also an excellent technique when difficult-to-transfect cells—primary and stem cells—are the target.
The appliances that were created to perform this process are called electroporators, or electroporation systems.
An electroporation cuvette, designed with a unique chamber specifically for maximum quality and convenience during electroporation, is used as the container for the sample. The cuvette generally has electrodes placed on its sides, which facilitate the current’s interaction with the sample inside. After the current has finished, a small volume of a liquid medium is added to the sample.
Medical & Laboratory Applications, Pulse Types, & More
Electroporation systems are always used for biomedical applications, with many different industries capitalizing on these benefits to fulfill their specific needs. This includes medical, laboratory, animal studies, and more. As well, electroporators rely on a variety of pulse types to perform electroporation, some of which we will cover below.
Medical
The medical field has been using electroporation for years to research new methods of introducing medicine to cells. Unsurprisingly, much of this research has focused on cancer and tumors specifically. As stated, this technique uses intense, short bursts of electricity, which briefly causes permeability in the cell membrane and allows drugs or various molecules to be introduced into the cell.
This is referred to as electrochemotherapy when used with chemotherapeutic drugs, and is driving innovative research on methods to treat cancer.
Laboratory
Much of the applications that labs use electroporators for deal with bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms. By altering various cell types (mammalian cells, , allowing them to recover, and then culturing the samples, scientists can safely and reproducibly transform their microorganisms with a significantly higher efficiency than other methods.
The safety, ease of use, and convenient features can help researchers save time and minimize human error.
Animal Studies
Another intriguing application of this technique is to research its effect during in vivo and in vitro animal studies. One example of this regarded treating cutaneous malignant tumors in mice. This study used irreversible electroporation to ablate the tumors. The success rate was high, with 12 of 13 mice having their tumors completely ablated.
Many companies are continuing this research, and hopefully in years to come it can revolutionize the cutaneous tumor treatment process.
Pulse Types
Scientists and researchers can obtain better results by understanding the various pulse types. Electroporators often have a range of pulse settings that can include:
Exponential decay: the set voltage is released from the capacitor and decays rapidly and exponentially. It is characterized by two parameters—field strength and the time constant—which can be adjusted according to factors like voltage and capacitance. Exponential decay is great for transfection efficiency in many different cell types.
Time constant: this type of pulse is used to apply a constant pulse of set voltage for a specific period of time.
Square wave: this pulse is characterized by the voltage delivered, as well as the duration of the pulse and the number of pulses. The length of the interval between pulses is also pre-determined. Most traditional electroporators can be used to set these parameters.
The differences between each type is important because every cell has a unique, optimal field strength that is dependent on the pulse parameters applied. The application of field strength causes electropermeabilization through induction of transmembrane voltage, which is what allows nucleic acids to pass through the cell membrane.
Electricity & Cell Membranes
While using electricity to treat cells might seem like a more modern development for the scientific community, the idea of using an external electrical field to affect membranes was originally pitched in publications in the 1960s.
Approximately 10 years later, a variety of groups continuing this research found that if the potential energy used during the testing reached a critical level, the membrane would break down completely.
It took several more years to find an appropriate solution to this problem, but researchers eventually concluded that applying a short pulse of electricity would open pores in the membrane which could then be resealed, allowing the cells to survive the process.
This process changed from theoretical to applicable in the 1980s and has seen use and improvement since.
High Throughput Electroporation System Leases to Fit Every Lab’s Needs
Whatever your life science and biotechnology equipment needs, our flexible and affordable leasing program can help.
From electroporators to particle analysis devices, we lease a wide variety of lab equipment that will fit into your workflow seamlessly. Furthermore, we can accommodate any brand preferences you may have. Whether it’s Eppendorf’s Eporator or Bio-Rad’s Gene Pulser Xcell, we have an electroporation system that fits your needs.
Connect with us at +1 888-927-3802 or complete our contact form and we can discuss exactly what type of equipment you’re interested in.
Operating Lease
This off-balance sheet financing structure provides three options at the end of the term. The lessee has the option to return the equipment to the lessor, renew at a discounted rate, or purchase the instrument for the fair market value. Monthly payments are also 100% tax deductible which yields additional monetary savings.
Sale-Leaseback
If you recently bought equipment, Excedr can offer you cash for your device and convert your purchase into a long-term rental. This is called a sale-leaseback. If you’ve paid for equipment within the last ninety days, we can help you recoup your investment and allow you to make low monthly payments. This also frees up money in your budget rather than tying it down to a fixed asset.
Electroporator Manufacturers & Models on the Market
Learn More
Eppendorf:
Eporator
Bio-Rad:
Gene Pulser Xcell Electroporation System, MicroPulser Electroporator, Gene Pulser MXcell Electroporation System
BTX/Harvard Apparatus:
AgilePulse MAX Electroporation System, AgilePulse In Vivo Electroporation System, Gemini Twin Wave Electroporators, ECM 2001+ Electrofusion & Electroporation System, ECM 830 Square Wave Electroporation System, ECM 630 Exponential Decay Wave Electroporation System, ECM 399 Exponential Decay Wave Electroporation System
Celetrix Biotechnologies:
SP100, LE+, EX+, SLT
Nepa Gene Co.:
NEPA21 Super Electroporator, ELEPO21 In Vitro High Energy Electroporator, NEPA Porator, CUY21 SC Square Wave Electroporator, CUY21 EDIT Square Wave Electroporator
and more!
