High-throughput electroporators employ a microplate format, which allows simultaneous transfections of up to 384 wells. Electroporation introduces nucleic acids into cells by exposing the cells to a rapid pulse of voltage that causes the pores in the cells’ membranes to open temporarily. Unlike other transfection methods, there is no limit to the size of DNA or RNA that can be delivered by electroporation. In addition, electroporation can be applied to almost any cell type, including dividing and non-dividing cells and primary and immobilized cells.

Until recently, poor transfection efficiencies were often correlated with electroporation techniques. However, advancements in technology, including automation, have enabled high-throughput systems. Such systems allow for higher transduction rates by varying the pulse strength and the surface area.

Although the efficiency rates can still be a hindering factor for some transfection applications, there are many benefits of high-throughput electroporation. The higher throughput, driven by automation, saves time, increases transfection efficiencies and eliminates the errors caused by manual protocols. In the past, transfection was heavily used in basic research. However, biotechnology and pharmaceutical labs are now investing in the technology in order to speed drug discovery research.

There are several vendors that offer high-throughput electroporators. Lonza, the market leader, provides a wide offering of electroporation systems, kits and reagents due to its 2008 acquisition of AMAXA (see IBO 5/31/08). Lonza’s 96-well offering combines the Nucleofector 96-well Shuttle, the Nucleofector II Device and a laptop. The Nucleofector 96-well Shuttle system can process a 96-well plate in less than four minutes. Lonza also recently released the 4D-Nucleofector system, which can process up to 16 wells in about ten seconds. Sweden-based Cellectricon offers the fully automated Cellaxess HT system, which can accommodate 384-well microplates and is capable of transfecting both adherent and differentiated cells.

Bio-Rad Laboratories’ Gene Pulser MXcell electroporation system accommodates 96-well plates and can be used with many different cell types. The system can be purchased as a complete platform, with the ability to transfect both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, or users can purchase specific options that transfect either eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. BTX’s high-throughput electroporation system allows users to perform experiments in either 25- or 96-well formats. Different pulse generators are offered for eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells.

The total market for high-throughput electroporators is less than $30 million and is estimated to be growing in double digits. The market is expected to double in the next five years, fueled by growing cellular applications in drug discovery.

High-Throughput Electroporation at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• Lonza

• Bio-Rad Laboratories

• Cellectricon

Largest Markets

• Biotechnology

• Pharmaceutical

• Academia

Instrument Cost

• $5,000–$150,000