A Si-chip-based system for highly parallel electroporation of cells

A single-cell electroporation system is presented capable for efficient, highly parallel, and noninvasive transfection of biological cells as required in cloning experiments. The 2D geometry of Si-chips with cells cultivated on their surface enables good controllability and accessibility of the experiment using standard microscopic monitoring methods. On the basis of a modified silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology chips are processed with 192 electroporation sites. The assembled chips are operated in a setup which allows application of a large variety of electrical protocols. First results from cell culture experiments prove feasibility.