Localized electroporation effect on adherent cells in modified electric cell-substrate impedance sensing circuits

Electroporation is a physical transfection method for introducing foreign genes or drugs into cells. It does not require toxic reagents or transfection vectors. However, its applications have been limited because of cell damage and nonspecific transport. Here, we present an effective method for selective and localized electroporation using atomic force microscopy. This electroporation method is applied to adherent cells on substrates, instead of conventionally used suspended cells, and offers relatively effective cell transfection. Moreover, this method enables localized transfection into targeted areas at the single-cell level.