[DIYbio] DIY piezo electroporation protocol

On 05/14/2012 03:11 PM, Nathan McCorkle wrote:
> Again today, no cells... I'm wondering if the Aluminum caused acute
> toxicity (probably not according to a paper I found), if I need higher
> field strength (non-log phase cells have thicker membranes), maybe the
> pulse time is too short, maybe the field isn't being setup correctly
> (I can try with a commercial cuvette).

The first time only one sample grew if I remember correctly,
and now they're slow...

Things that are affecting field strength in the zone include
the spark generator's ability to drive,
The load impedance --> (path length and width and thickness and concentration
of cells in electrolyte),
randomness of sparks,
connections (and gaps) of wires to electrodes (if under sticky tape).

I'd look at the path. 2 and 3 are less likely.

1. You could try shortening it, all else the same.
2. You could look at the conductivity of your cells in medium.
3. You could increase the stripped wire length and contact it
to the bare aluminum surface of the top of the tape that is your electrode.
You could switch to strips of stainless steel instead of Al tape since aluminum
might oxidize more and more and conductivity drop with repeated sparking.

John

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