Abstract: Electro-poration device for the permeabilization of cells contained in a substrate comprising a signal generator for generating a stimulating signal applied by means of electrodes to the substrate wherein an electric field permeabilizing the cells membranes is induced. The device calculates and monitors the instantaneous value or the ratio GT between the current flowing through the substrate and the voltage of the stimulating signal applied to the substrate; in particular, the stimulating signal is applied in a modified manner according to the shape of an initial portion of the waveform of a curve CGT representing the value of ratio GT in successive instants after the application of the stimulating signal. The system will achieve permeabilization of cells in substrate with no or minimum damage, allowing to introduce or to extract molecules in or from the electropermeabilized living cells.

Abstract: An electroporation device having a signal generating circuit (3) connectable at the output to electrodes (5) fittable to a substrate (35) having cells. The electrodes (5) produce an electric field which induces permeabilization of the cell membranes to facilitate introduction of substances into the cells. The amplitude of the signal (12) applied to the electrodes is closed-loop controlled on the basis of the impedance (Z(?)) of the substrate, so as to regulate the amplitude of the signal following a reduction in impedance caused by permeabilization of the cell membranes.

Abstract: Electro-poration device for the permeabilization of cells contained in a substrate comprising a signal generator for generating a stimulating signal applied by means of electrodes to the substrate wherein an electric field permeabilizing the cells membranes is induced. The device calculates and monitors the instantaneous value or the ratio GT between the current flowing through the substrate and the voltage of the stimulating signal applied to the substrate; in particular, the stimulating signal is applied in a modified manner according to the shape of an initial portion of the waveform of a curve CGT representing the value of ratio GT in successive instants after the application of the stimulating signal. The system will achieve permeabilization of cells in substrate with no or minimum damage, allowing to introduce or to extract molecules in or from the electropermeabilized living cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of transferring in vivo a molecule into a striated muscle cell. More specifically, a method of the invention comprises contacting in vivo a striated muscle cell with a molecule, and electrically stimulating the muscle cell with one or more unipolar pulses of an electric field intensity ranging from 1 to 800 V/cm2. In one embodiment, the molecule is a nucleic acid encoding a protein of interest. For example, the invention provides methods of promoting angiogenesis and hemostasis.

Abstract: An electroporation device having a signal generating circuit (3) connectable at the output to electrodes (5) fittable to a substrate (35) having cells. The electrodes (5) produce an electric field which induces permeabilization of the cell membranes to facilitate introduction of substances into the cells. The amplitude of the signal (12) applied to the electrodes is closed-loop controlled on the basis of the impedance (Z(&ohgr;)) of the substrate, so as to regulate the amplitude of the signal following a reduction in impedance caused by permeabilization of the cell membranes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of transferring in vivo a molecule into a striated muscle cell. More specifically, a method of the invention comprises contacting in vivo a striated muscle cell with a molecule, and electrically stimulating the muscle cell with one or more unipolar pulses of an electric field intensity ranging from 1 to 800 V/cm2. In one embodiment, the molecule is a nucleic acid encoding a protein of interest. For example, the invention provides methods of promoting angiogenesis and hemostasis.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improved method for transferring in vivo multicelled eukaryotic organism cells nucleic acids or nucleic acids combined with products for enhancing the efficacy of such transfers. The invention also concerns the combination of a nucleic acid and the transfer method for use in gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improved method for transferring in vivo multicelled eukaryotic organism cells nucleic acids or nucleic acids combined with products for enhancing the efficacy of such transfers. The invention also concerns the combination of a nucleic acid and the transfer method for use in gene therapy.

Abstract: Composition for use in the treatment of tumors and the immunization of humans or animals comprising a synergistic association of cells, viruses, or bacteria expressing, transitorily, in organisms at least one gene for producing in vivo one or more immunomodulators, and viruses, or cells producing viruses, said viruses preferably infecting dividing cells of the treated organisms and carrying within their genome at least one gene whose expression in the dividing cells will cause their destruction.

Abstract: An electric pulse applicator for the treatment of biological tissue applies an electric field to the cells of biological tissue to modify the properties of their membranes. The electric pulse applicator includes electrodes and a pulse generator. The electrodes comprise at least three needles which are introduced into the tissue to be treated and which define a treatment volume. The needles are formed into pairs and a selector switch directs successive pulses produced by the pulse generator to each different pair of needles.

Abstract: This invention provides for methods of introducing anti-cancer agents directly into cancer cells by increasing the permeability of cell walls through the use of electric pulses.