Large amplitude density fluctuations in a lipid bilayer, induced by picosecond electric pulses, and their possible biotechnological applications

Abstract

Electroporation refers to changes in permeabilization of lipid membranes induced by external pulsed electric fields. Diverse applications of electroporation in biotechnology include gene transfer, modulation of gene expression, cell proliferation, seed germination, sterilization in the food industry, and extraction of chemical compounds. We argue that the formation of large amplitude, subnanometer density fluctuations in lipid bilayers, induced by high-intensity pulsed electric fields with picosecond durations, may produce lipid nanopores and change transmembrane transport, which trigger cellular signalling pathways with subsequent cellular responses and changes in cell physiology, thus, could represent perspectives regarding the development of electroporation biotechnologies.