Is it necessary following the electroporation to incubate eukaryotic cells on ice for 10 minutes, as is frequently recommended in the protocols?
As a rule it is not necessary to cool down the cells with ice following the electroporation. At 4 °C the “resealing” of the membranes is delayed, so that over a longer period of time an exchange of molecules takes place between the cell and its environment. This causes increased stress and can reduce the survival rate. When the closing of the membranes is to be slowed down intentionally e.g. to introduce large molecules), the cells should be cooled down with ice for a maximum of two minutes and then immediately transferred to a temperature of 37 °C.
Related Questions
- Is it necessary following the electroporation to incubate eukaryotic cells on ice for 10 minutes, as is frequently recommended in the protocols?
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- What is the maximum number of eukaryotic cells which can be used for an electroporation?
