Effect of Thermal Gradients Created by Electromagnetic Fields on Cell-Membrane Electroporation Probed by Molecular-Dynamics Simulations

J. Song, A. L. Garner, and R. P. Joshi

Phys. Rev. Applied 7, 024003 – Published 6 February 2017

Abstract

The use of nanosecond-duration-pulsed voltages with high-intensity electric fields ( $\sim 100 kV / cm$ ) is a promising development with many biomedical applications. Electroporation occurs in this regime, and has been attributed to the high fields. However, here we focus on temperature gradients. Our numerical simulations based on molecular dynamics predict the formation of nanopores and water nanowires, but only in the presence of a temperature gradient. Our results suggest a far greater role of temperature gradients in enhancing biophysical responses, including possible neural stimulation by infrared lasers.

Received 15 August 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.7.024003

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Biomolecular dynamics Cell membrane transport Electrophoresis Laser applications Medical physics & public health Membranes Transport phenomena

Physics of Living Systems

Authors & Affiliations

J. Song¹, A. L. Garner², and R. P. Joshi^3,*

¹Department of Electrical Engineering and Technology, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
²School of Nuclear Engineering, 400 Central Drive. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2017, USA
³Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, USA

^*Corresponding author. ravi.joshi@ttu.edu

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Vol. 7, Iss. 2 — February 2017

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Physical Review Applied