Abstract: Disclosed is a device for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, comprising at least one chamber which comprises at least one internal space (40) for holding the suspension, the internal space (40) comprising at least two segments (41, 42), wherein each segment (41, 42) comprises at least one electrode (43, 44) and wherein neighboring electrodes (43, 44) are separated from each other by at least one gap (47) which is at least partially filled with an insulating material (46), and wherein the edges of the electrodes (43, 44) facing each other within the internal space (40) are rounded. Rounding the electrodes' edges facing a neighboring electrode results in a significant reduction of field gradients and thus even of the risk of arcing. Also disclosed is a method in which voltage is applied to at least one active electrode (43, 44) while the electrodes (43, 44, 45) or electrode segments next and/or opposite to the active electrode (43, 44) are set to ground potential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, cell derivatives, organelles, sub-cellular particles and/or vesicles, comprising at least one chamber (6) which comprises at least two electrodes (4), and at least one separating element (13) which is movable within the chamber (6) between two terminal points (14, 15) and, if it is in a position between the terminal points (14, 15), separates at least one first compartment (26) of the chamber (6) from at least one second compartment (27) of the chamber (6).

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, comprising at least one chamber which comprises at least one internal space (40) for holding the suspension, the internal space (40) comprising at least two segments (41, 42), wherein each segment (41, 42) comprises at least one electrode (43, 44) and wherein neighboring electrodes (43, 44) are separated from each other by at least one gap (47) which is at least partially filled with an insulating material (46), and wherein the edges of the electrodes (43, 44) facing each other within the internal space (40) are rounded. Rounding the electrodes' edges facing a neighboring electrode results in a significant reduction of field gradients and thus even of the risk of arcing. Also disclosed is a method in which voltage is applied to at least one active electrode (43, 44) while the electrodes (43, 44, 45) or electrode segments next and/or opposite to the active electrode (43, 44) are set to ground potential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, comprising at least one chamber which comprises at least one internal space (40) for holding the suspension, the internal space (40) comprising at least two segments (41, 42), wherein each segment (41, 42) comprises at least one electrode (43, 44) and wherein neighboring electrodes (43, 44) are separated from each other by at least one gap (47) which is at least partially filled with an insulating material (46), and wherein the edges of the electrodes (43, 44) facing each other within the internal space (40) are rounded. Rounding the electrodes' edges facing a neighboring electrode results in a significant reduction of field gradients and thus even of the risk of arcing. The invention further concerns a method, wherein voltage is applied to at least one active electrode (43, 44) while the electrodes (43, 44, 45) or electrode segments next and/or opposite to the active electrode (43, 44) are set to ground potential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, cell derivatives, organelles, sub-cellular particles and/or vesicles, comprising at least one chamber (6) which comprises at least two electrodes (4), and at least one separating element (13) which is movable within the chamber (6) between two terminal points (14, 15) and, if it is in a position between the terminal points (14, 15), separates at least one first compartment (26) of the chamber (6) from at least one second compartment (27) of the chamber (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, cell derivatives, organelles, sub-cellular particles and/or vesicles, comprising at least one chamber (6) which comprises at least two electrodes (4), and at least one separating element (13) which is movable within the chamber (6) between two terminal points (14, 15) and, if it is in a position between the terminal points (14, 15), separates at least one first compartment (26) of the chamber (6) from at least one second compartment (27) of the chamber (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, cell derivatives, organelles, sub-cellular particles and/or vesicles, comprising at least one chamber (6) which comprises at least two electrodes (4), and at least one separating element (13) which is movable within the chamber (6) between two terminal points (14, 15) and, if it is in a position between the terminal points (14, 15), separates at least one first compartment (26) of the chamber (6) from at least one second compartment (27) of the chamber (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, comprising at least one chamber which comprises at least one internal space (40) for holding the suspension, the internal space (40) comprising at least two segments (41, 42), wherein each segment (41, 42) comprises at least one electrode (43, 44) and wherein neighboring electrodes (43, 44) are separated from each other by at least one gap (47) which is at least partially filled with an insulating material (46), and wherein the edges of the electrodes (43, 44) facing each other within the internal space (40) are rounded. Rounding the electrodes' edges facing a neighboring electrode results in a significant reduction of field gradients and thus even of the risk of arcing. The invention further concerns a method, wherein voltage is applied to at least one active electrode (43, 44) while the electrodes (43, 44, 45) or electrode segments next and/or opposite to the active electrode (43, 44) are set to ground potential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the application of at least one voltage pulse to at least two containers fitted with electrodes, by means of which at least one voltage pulse is applied to at least one container, while at least one other container is subjected to a preparation or a post-processing. According to the invention the method comprises mutual exchange of the respective positions of the container to which a voltage pulse has already been applied and the further container. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device (1) for making electrical contact with at least one container fitted with electrodes, with at least one receptacle (3, 7) upon which at least one container can be set, and with at least one contact appliance (8) for making contact with the electrodes of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying at least one electrical voltage pulse to at least one reaction space by at least partially discharging at least one charge storing unit for storing electrical charges. According to the invention the method comprises applying at least one voltage pulse to a reaction space by at least partially discharging a second charge storing unit and simultaneously charging or partially discharging a first charge storing. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device 1 for applying at least one electrical voltage pulse to at least one reaction space, comprising at least two charge storing units (10, 11) for storing electrical charges and at least one power supply unit (12) for charging the charge storing units (10, 11) and/or at least one discharge device for partially discharging the charge storing units (10, 11). According to the invention it is provided that at least two of the charge storing units (10, 11) form a common storage module which can be discharged at any time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) with at least three reaction spaces (2) which in each case have at least one electrode pair for applying an electric voltage for generating an electric field within the reaction space (2) and which are arranged geometrically in at least one row and/or electrically connected in at least one row, wherein at least one electrode (3, 4) of a reaction space (2) is a common electrode (3, 4) with at least one other reaction space (2). According to the invention n+x electrodes (3, 4, 5) are provided, wherein n is the number of reaction spaces (2), with n?3 and x is the number of rows, with x?1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel circuit arrangement for electrotransfection or electrofusion, which enables the transportation of DNA and/or other biologically active molecules to the nucleus of higher eukaryotic cells or the fusion of cells, independent of cell division and with reduced cell mortality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) with at least three reaction spaces (2) which in each case have at least one electrode pair for applying an electric voltage for generating an electric field within the reaction space (2) and which are arranged geometrically in at least one row and/or electrically connected in at least one row, wherein at least one electrode (3, 4) of a reaction space (2) is a common electrode (3, 4) with at least one other reaction space (2). According to the invention n+x electrodes (3, 4, 5) are provided, wherein n is the number of reaction spaces (2), with n?3 and x is the number of rows, with x?1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying at least one electrical voltage pulse to at least one reaction space by at least partially discharging at least one charge storing unit for storing electrical charges. According to the invention the method comprises applying at least one voltage pulse to a reaction space by at least partially discharging a second charge storing unit and simultaneously charging or partially discharging a first charge storing. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device 1 for applying at least one electrical voltage pulse to at least one reaction space, comprising at least two charge storing units (10, 11) for storing electrical charges and at least one power supply unit (12) for charging the charge storing units (10, 11) and/or at least one discharge device for partially discharging the charge storing units (10, 11). According to the invention it is provided that at least two of the charge storing units (10, 11) form a common storage module which can be discharged at any time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the application of at least one voltage pulse to at least two containers fitted with electrodes, by means of which at least one voltage pulse is applied to at least one container, while at least one other container is subjected to a preparation or a post-processing. According to the invention the method comprises mutual exchange of the respective positions of the container to which a voltage pulse has already been applied and the further container. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device (1) for making electrical contact with at least one container fitted with electrodes, with at least one receptacle (3, 7) upon which at least one container can be set, and with at least one contact appliance (8) for making contact with the electrodes of the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transfection of cells using at least one protein capable of forming nucleoprotein filaments, wherein the protein is initially modified with at least one functional component which influences one or more steps of the transfection, the nucleic acid to be transfected is then loaded with the modified protein, whereby the nucleic acid and the protein form a filament-like complex, and this complex is finally added to the cells to be transfected. The invention further relates to a transfection agent consisting of nucleoprotein filaments (NPF), with at least one nucleoprotein filament-forming protein being modified with at least one functional component for the transfection. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the transfection agent according to the invention for producing a drug for gene therapeutic treatment of humans and animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel circuit arrangement for electrotransfection or electrofusion, which enables the transportation of DNA and/or other biologically active molecules to the nucleus of higher eukaryotic cells or the fusion of cells, independent of cell division and with reduced cell mortality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transfection of cells using at least one protein capable of forming nucleoprotein filaments, wherein the protein is initially modified with at least one functional component which influences one or more steps of the transfection, the nucleic acid to be transfected is then loaded with the modified protein, whereby the nucleic acid and the protein form a filament-like complex, and this complex is finally added to the cells to be transfected. The invention further relates to a transfection agent consisting of nucleoprotein filaments (NPF), with at least one nucleoprotein filament-forming protein being modified with at least one functional component for the transfection. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the transfection agent according to the invention for producing a drug for gene therapeutic treatment of humans and animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transfection of cells using at least one protein capable of forming nucleoprotein filaments, wherein the protein is initially modified with at least one functional component which influences one or more steps of the transfection, the nucleic acid to be transfected is then loaded with the modified protein, whereby the nucleic acid and the protein form a filament-like complex, and this complex is finally added to the cells to be transfected. The invention further relates to a transfection agent consisting of nucleoprotein filaments (NPF), with at least one nucleoprotein filament-forming protein being modified with at least one functional component for the transfection. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the transfection agent according to the invention for producing a drug for gene therapeutic treatment of humans and animals.

Abstract: There is provided a method of identifying a PAR cleaving molecule comprising the steps of: (a) providing an immobilized PAR cleavage peptide linked to a reporter molecule; (b) contacting the immobilized PAR cleavage peptide with a PAR cleaving molecule; and (c) detecting release of the reporter molecule.