Celična in tkivna elektrotehnika (Slovene)

Application of electromagnetic fields on living cells and tissues alters their biological functions. The response depends on parameters of applied electromagnetic field, characteristics of cell or tissue and other factors like temperature, density of cell suspension or culture, etc. Application of external electric field is used in medicine for therapeutic purposes (ventricular defibrillation of the heart) and was shown that it has beneficial effects on wound healing acceleration and tumour growth retardation. The response of living cell on application of external electric field depend on: amplitude, direction, and duration of applied field. The cell responds to electric field by motion, orientation, rotation, and if the certain threshold value is exceeded cell membrane is permeabilized. This phenomenon is known as electropermeabilization or electroporation. Electroporated cell membrane becomes permeable to otherwise unpermeant molecules in its surroundings. The aim of proposed research project is to study the effects electromagnetic fields on cellular and tissues level. On cellular level (in vitro) our study will focus on electropermeabilization of cell membrane. Effects of different parameters like amplitude, duration, number of pulses, frequency of pulse repetition in the train and pulse shape will be studied. All experimental results will be evaluated with numerical dosimetry and theoretical calculations of distribution of electromagnetic field. On tissue level (in vivo) our study will focus on the effect of electric current on perfusion and oxygenation. Both are important parameters of metabolic changes in observed tissue. New non invasive optical techniques will be used in this study. All experimental results will be evaluated by numerical calculations of current density in tissue. Measurements with optical methods will be evaluated with numerical calculations of light transport in different tissues.