Electroporation - Gene Transfer Methods - Electroporation is a gene transfer method in which DNA is transferred into cells by using high voltage current for a fraction of second.

This method can be applied to transfer DNA into plant cells, animal cells, yeast and bacteria. In this method, cells are placed between the electrodes present in an electroporation chamber along with an ionic solution containing the vector DNA.

An electric pulse generated by a capacitor is applied for about 10-45 milliseconds, which induces pores in the plasma membranes.

These pores appear to be round and are present for several minutes after the pulse during which vector DNA passes through the pores into the cell.