Electroporation of prokaryotic cells

摘要

Electroporation of prokaryotic cells is achieved by the application of high-intensity electric fields of short duration to reversibly permeabilize the cell walls. Preferably, the field strength of the applied will be at least about 5 kV/cm and the duration of the exposure will be in the range from 2 to 20 msec. Macromolecules may be introduced to the cells or obtained from the cells during this period of cell wall permeability. Most commonly, the method will be utilized for transformation of the cells with nucleic acids. Very high transformation efficiencies in the range from 109 to 1010 cells/ mu g and transformation frequencies approaching 80% and above have been achieved.