Modulation of micro/nanobiostructure’s functions by intense nanosecond pulsed electric fields

Abstract

While intense nanosecond pulsed electric field is known to affect subcellular structures and cell membrane (permanent disruption effect), there is still a lack of studies on the modulation effects of nanosecond pulsed electric field and its mechanism of action. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate in vitro direct effects of intense (20 kV/cm) pulsed electric field of 10 ns pulse width on tubulin capacity of self-assembly into microtubules – tracks for protein nanomotors - in a dose-dependent manner, which leads to a reversible and irreversible control of their polymerization. We used also the same type of pulses to modulate the cell surface-microenvironment interaction. Cell surface – microenvironment interact was the target of our work because of its importance in nanomaterial delivery. The results confirm that we could modulate the surface interaction while preserving the cell viability.