Electroporation
Part of the biomedical research conducted in the Department looks at electrically punching holes in cell membranes (as shown below). This is technically known as Electroporation. The ability to punch holes in cell membranes is utilised in many biomedical applications. Some of the applications of electroporation are;
- Transgenics
Allows DNA to be introduced into cells (as shown below). This may correct faulty genes in some diseases, or can be used to fool bacterial cells into producing cheap synthetic drugs and proteins for medical purposes.
- Cancer Chemotherapy
Enhances the targeting of special chemotherapy drugs that only work if they can get into cancer cells (as shown below). The only way these drugs can get into cells is if there are holes in their membranes. These special drugs dramatically reduce chemotherapy side effects such as nausea, loss of head hair and damage to other normal cells in the body.
- Cloning
Allows introduction of donor DNA into an egg cell. Cloning has may beneficial uses in medicine that do not involve making copies of humans. For example, cloning of transgenic animals can lead to the cheap production of very useful drugs needed in medicine and creation of organs compatible for transplantation. Cloning can also be used to counter species extinction.
- Immunology
Allows immortalisation of monoclonal antibody producing cells. This is useful in many areas of medical diagnosis and treatments.
For a list of graduate research projects in electropration, follow this link