Advanced physical techniques for gene delivery based on membrane perforation

Figures & data

Figure 1. The principle of electroporation.

Figure 2. The principle of magnetoporation.

Figure 3. The principle of sonoporation.

Figure 4. The principle of optoporation.

Table 1. Physical transfection approaches.

Physical techniques	Principle	Materials	Advantages	Disadvantages
Electroporation	Perforating cell membrane by electric field	Electrodes; Pulse generator	Simplicity; Lower cost; No need for vector	Invasiveness; Short-term pain; Tissue damage
Magnetoporation	Perforating cell membrane by magnetic field	Magnetic field; Magnetic transfection reagents	Noninvasive; Transfection reagents increase the efficiency	Lower efficiency with naked DNA; Transfection reagents aggregation
Sonoporation	Perforating cell membrane by ultrasound	Ultrasound probe; Ultrasound contrast agents	Noninvasive; Ultrasound contrast agents increase the efficiency	Lower precision; Lower Reproducibility; Tissue damage
Optoporation	Perforating cell membrane by laser pulse	Laser microscope system; Nanoparticles	Less dependent on cell type; Single-cell poration	Tissue damage; Low irradiation area; Low penetration capacity