NOO Follow-up project: Controlling the susceptibility of biological cells to pulsed electric field treatment by using ion channel modulators

The project continues and extends the research initiated within the MSCA-IF project " Controlling the susceptibility of biological cells to pulsed electric field treatment by using ion channel modulators - EPmIC". The project investigates how the exposure of biological cells to intense pulsed electric field, which triggers the electroporation phenomenon, affects cellular electrophysiology, survival and gene transfection and how the response of cells after electroporation can be influenced by ion channel modulators. In our research, we use in vitro experimental models of nonexcitable cells (cell lines derived from healthy and tumor tissue) and excitable cells (genetically engineered excitable cell line S-HEK and primary cardiomyocytes). In addition, we are developing theoretical models for computer simulations to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms by which electroporation influences the cell response. This basic research makes an important contribution to the development of electroporation-based therapies such as tumor treatment, ablation of the heart muscle for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, and gene therapy.