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Synergistic effects of local temperature enhancements on cellular responses in the context of high-intensity, ultrashort electric pulses

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Abstract

Results of self-consistent analyses of cells show the possibility of temperature increases at membranes in response to a single nanosecond, high-voltage pulse, at least over small sections of the membrane. Molecular Dynamics simulations indicate that such a temperature increase could facilitate poration, which is one example of a bio-process at the plasma membrane. Our study thus suggests that the use of repetitive high-intensity voltage pulses could open up possibilities for a host of synergistic bio-responses involving both thermal and electrically driven phenomena.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank P. T. Vernier (Univ. S. California) for useful discussions. Partial support from Old Dominion University is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Frank Reidy Center for Bio-Electrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529-0246, USA

    J. Song, R. P. Joshi & K. H. Schoenbach

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  1. J. Song
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  2. R. P. Joshi
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  3. K. H. Schoenbach
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Correspondence to R. P. Joshi.

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Song, J., Joshi, R.P. & Schoenbach, K.H. Synergistic effects of local temperature enhancements on cellular responses in the context of high-intensity, ultrashort electric pulses. Med Biol Eng Comput 49, 713–718 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-011-0745-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-011-0745-z

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