Electroporation of nucleic acids into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by square wave pulses

A novel electroporator is presented that generates adjustable square wave pulses with a maximal pulse strength of 2500 V / 100 A and a pulse length between 0.1 and 15 ms and that efficiently transfects prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Various factors influencing DNA transfer into tissue culture cells, embryonic stem cells and E. coli K12 cells were optimized and the respective electrical pulse profiles monitored