A simple model for poration-induced electrodeformation of giant vesicles

Abstract

This work attempts to understand the mechanism of poration induced deformation in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) under pulsed DC fields, using a simple semi-analytical model. The coupled equations of electroporation, electrohydrodynamics, and membrane mechanics are solved within the limit of small deformations. The excess membrane area, generated by electroporation, is assumed to manifest as amplitudes of higher-order shape deformation modes, thereby resulting in prolate or oblate cylindrical or square shapes. The origin of these higher modes is essentially due to electropore-induced, polar angle-dependent membrane conductance. The model qualitatively and semi-quantitatively, with a correction factor (fitting parameter) though, captures the square shape modes for β = 1, prolate ellipsoids (cylinders) for β > 1, and oblate cylinders for β < 1, where β = σ_i/σ_e is the ratio of the electrical conductivity of the inner fluid (σ_i) to that of the outer fluid (σ_e).