HealthAugust 24, 2026

electroporation

eh-lek-truh-puh-RAY-shun

Definition

A laboratory technique that uses short pulses of electricity to create temporary pores in cell membranes, allowing substances like sugars or drugs to enter the cell.

Etymology

The word combines the Greek 'elektron' (amber, or electricity) with the Latin 'porus' (passage or pore) and the suffix '-ation' to describe the creation of passages using electrical current.

In the news

In the article, researchers use electroporation to load CAR T cells with sugars, which helps protect the cells during the freezing process without needing to remove toxic preservatives before infusion.

This Week’s CGT News: Antifreeze Sugars Protect CAR T Cells

Read the full article ↗

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