Molecular dynamics of electroporation and quantitative analysis of molecular transport.

Abstract

Electroporation, a widely used physical method for transiently increasing cell permeability, facilitates molecular delivery for therapeutic and research applications. While electroporation proves to be a useful process, the mechanisms of pore formation and molecular transport remain incompletely understood. This study investigates the dynamics of electropore formation in lipid bilayers using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and subsequent molecular transport by quantitative diffusion modeling. MD simulations reveal different stages of pore formation under applied electric fields, focusing on the lipid headgroup realignment and the hydration process of the pores. An FDM (Finite Difference Method)-based transport model quantifies the transport of molecules, such as glucose, calcein and bleomycin, using pore dimensions obtained from MD simulations. The results demonstrate a size-dependent transport efficiency, with smaller molecules diffusing more rapidly than larger ones. This work underscores the synergy between atomistic simulations and macroscopic transport modeling. Also, the findings offer valuable insights for optimizing electroporation protocols and developing targeted delivery systems for drugs and genetic material.