Abstract: The invention relates to a device for providing a cell suspension to an apparatus for treating the cells, wherein the device comprises at least one internal space 16 for holding the suspension, and wherein the internal space 16 is at least partially surrounded by a wall 15. The device further comprises at least one inlet port 2 comprising at least one first opening 3 for introducing the suspension into the internal space 16 and at least one outlet port comprising at least one second opening for removing the suspension from said internal space 16. The inlet port 2 further comprises at least one barrier element 6 bordering the first opening 3 at a side furthest to the wall 15 and is partially arranged between the first opening 3 and the internal space 16.

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 method for subjecting adherent cells to at least one electric field, in which the electric field is generated by applying a voltage to at least two active electrodes 63, wherein at least three electrodes 63, 64 are provided, and wherein at least two electrodes 63, 64 are active electrodes 63 when the voltage is applied in order to generate a first electric field, and in which at least one second electric field is generated, wherein at least one of the two previously active electrodes 63 is a potential-free electrode 64 when the voltage is applied. Also disclosed is a device 58 comprising at least three electrodes 63, 64, which are connected to at least one voltage source by means of at least one switching device 59, 60, 61, 62, wherein at least five electrodes 63, 64 are connected to the at least one voltage source by means of four switching devices 59, 60, 61, 62, wherein at least two electrodes 63, 64 are connected to the voltage source by means of a common switching device 59, 60, 61, 62.

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: The invention relates to a method for generating at least one electrically contactable area on a polymer which is doped with a conductive substance, wherein a contact material is applied onto the polymer, which has a lower specific resistance at 23° C. than the polymer. According to the invention the contact material is applied onto the polymer so tightly that close contact between the contact material and the conductive substance is achieved. Due to the tight application of the contact material, which has a lower specific resistance than the polymer, the input resistance of the doped polymer is effectively reduced. The invention further concerns a formed body made of a polymer which is doped with a conductive substance, which has at least one contactable area, within which a contact material is applied onto the polymer, which has a lower specific resistance at 23° C. than the polymer.

Abstract: A device 1 with at least one electrode 8 for generating an electrical field in a chamber 7 is disclosed. The device 1 comprises at least one input channel 6 for introducing a fluid into the chamber 7, and at least one output channel 11 for discharging the fluid from the chamber 7. Also disclosed is a method for stabilizing the flow of a fluid through a chamber 7 in which an electrical field is generated and which has at least one input channel 6 for introducing the fluid into the chamber and at least one output channel 11 for discharging the fluid from the chamber 8. To avoid undesirable backflow of the fluid due to gas formation, the average inside diameter of the input channel 6 of device 1 is smaller than the average inside diameter of the output channel 11.

Abstract: A method for introducing biologically active molecules into animal or human cells using an electric current includes suspending the cells and dissolving the biologically active molecules in a buffer solution including HEPES and at least 10 mmol×1?1 magnesium ions (Mg2+), the buffer solution having a buffer capacity of at least 20 mmol×1?1 ×pH?1 at a change in the pH from pH 7 to pH 8 and at a temperature of 25° C., and an ionic strength of at least 200 mmol×1?1. An electric voltage is applied to the suspension.

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 concerns a container 1 with chambers 2 which each comprise at least one pair of electrodes including a first 4 and a second electrode 5 for the application of electric voltage for generating an electric field within one chamber 2. At least two first electrodes 4 of different chambers 3 are conductively coupled and at least one second electrode 5 of said chamber 2 is separately conductively connectable. The invention further concerns a method for manufacturing said container 1 as well as a device for electrically contacting at least one of said containers 1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit arrangement comprising at least one storage device for electrical charges to generate at least one voltage pulse by selectively discharging the storage device, and at least one control unit for controlling the discharge. A controller for monitoring the chronological progression of the voltage pulse is provided which controls at least one continuation of discharge after termination. Biomaterial is treated by using at least one electrical field generated by a first voltage pulse which is terminated once the value for an electrical parameter has exceeded or dropped below a preset limit. After the first voltage pulse has been terminated, it is continued by an additional voltage pulse.

Abstract: A buffer solution for suspending animal or human cells and for dissolving biologically active molecules in order to introduce the biologically active molecules into the cells using electric current. The buffer solution includes at least one of sodium succinate, mannitol and sodium lactobionate. The buffer solution has a buffer capacity of at least 20 mmol*l?1*pH?1 at a change in the from pH 7 to pH 8 and at a temperature of 25° C., and an ionic strength of at least 200 mmol * l?1.

Abstract: A method for introducing biologically active molecules into animal or human cells using electric current includes suspending the cells and dissolving the biologically active molecules in a buffer solution which has a buffer capacity of at least 20 mmol×l?1×pH?1 and an ionic strength of at least 200 mmol×l?1 at a change in the pH from pH 7 to pH 8 and at a temperature of 25° C. to form a suspension. The method further includes applying an electric voltage to the suspension so as to introduce the biologically active molecules into animal or human cells.

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.