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Improved numerical approach for electrical modeling of biological cell clusters

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Abstract

This article presents an efficient numerical approach to simulate the process of polarization and ion conduction in membranes of biological cells subjected to intense electric fields. The proposed method uses Coulomb’s law to calculate the electric field on the surface of the cell membrane and the continuity equation for calculating the difference in electric potential between the faces of the membrane. The behavior of the membrane conductance is described by a model of electroporation proposed in literature. This method provides results that agree well with the analytical model of polarization of an isolated cell suspended in electrolytic solution and also provides results for the conductance of the membrane during electroporation of cells in concentrated suspensions that agree with experimental results already published.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, Centre of Technological Science, University of Santa Catarina State (UDESC), Joinville, Santa Catarina, 89223-100, Brazil

    Airton Ramos

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  1. Airton Ramos
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Correspondence to Airton Ramos.

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Ramos, A. Improved numerical approach for electrical modeling of biological cell clusters. Med Biol Eng Comput 48, 311–319 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-010-0591-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-010-0591-4

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