Carbon nanotube-enhanced cell electropermeabilisation

The use of controlled electric fields to facilitate cell permeabilisation for enhanced cellular uptake of molecules is well established. The main limitation to the application of this technology in clinical practice is the requirements of high voltages which cause significant cell death in the target tissue. This paper presents a new modality for cell electro-permeabilisation based on the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and external static electric fields. An explanation of the results based on the dielectric response of multiwall CNTs (MWCNTs) to these electric fields is proposed. The experimental data obtained indicate that this method of CNT-enhanced electro-permeabilisation provides an effective means of lowering the electric field voltage required for repairable cell electro-permeabilisation to below 50 V/cm and with an efficiency exceeding 80%. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.