1. June 12th-14th, 2013
Collaborative E-Learning application for electroporation-based biomedical applications
Selma Corovic
University of Ljubljana,
Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Slovenia

2. Collaborative E-Learning application
Background and motivation
Electroporation of cells and tissues – human, animal or plant cells for different biomedical and biotechnological applications
Electroporation based biomedical applications require multidisciplinary expertise: oncologists, physicists, engineers…
clinical electrochemotherapy - cancer treatment
Collaborative E-Learning application
Oncology
Biomedical engineering
University of Ljubljana

3. E-learning application on cells and tissues Designing the content
Collecting
the knowledge
E-learning application on
cells and tissues
Designing
the content
Research +
Clinical trials
E-Learning enviroment
(EBTT)
Improving the content
based on results
Evaluation (pedagogical efficiency and usability)

4. E-Learning enviroment
Electroporation based technologies and treatments
International SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP and POSTGRADUATE COURSE
November 18-24, 2012, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Lectures
Practical work
Lectures were recorded

5. Electroporation molecules cell membrane
Important parameter for effective electroporation
local electric field distribution E [V/cm]!

6. Local electric field distribution E >Erev
Electroporated
Cell membrane
Cell
Tissue

7. Applications of Electroporation
Electroporation is used in:
- clinical electrochemotherapy, non-viral gene electrotransfer for gene therapy and DNA vaccination, transdermal drug delivery…
- liquid food sterilization, water treatment, electrofusion of cells…
biomedical
UTI = −1.5 r E cos (φ)
The electroporation of cell membrane first occurs within the cell area facing the electrodes
Different electroporation regimes:
reversible Erev < E < Eirrev and irreversible E >Eirrev

8. Electrochemotherapy = = chemotherapy + electroporation
Electric pulse generator
Chemotherapeutic surrounds the cells
Increased membrane permeability allows access to the cytosol
Pores reseal
Electrodes
time
Tumour
Electric pulse application
Injecting chemotherapeutic

9. Protocols and local electric field distribution in tumors
Protocols used in clinical electrochemotherapy today include:
8 pulses of 100 µs duration, f=1 Hz or f=5 KHz, U/d =1300 V/cm
drug
injection +
Result
the entire volume of the tumor
needs to be subjected to the E ≥ Erev
Local electric field distribution:
U/d

10. Importance of an adequate local electric field for
the entire volume of the tumor
needs to be subjected to the E ≥ Erev
Importance of an adequate local electric field for
successful tissue electroporation (example: unsuccessful tumor treatment)

11. Clinical use of electrochemotherapy
Number of patients
No. of clinical centres
2006
130
SOP 
2007
300 37
2008
600 53
2009
800 55
2010
1000 83
2011
1500 92
2012
3000
108
Reimbursed in:
Germany, UK, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia.
Poland – in progress for reimbursement. ECT approved by Minister of Health.

12. Clinical use of electrochemotherapy

13. E-learning application on cells and tissues Designing the content
Collecting
the knowledge
E-learning application on
cells and tissues
Designing
the content
Research +
Clinical trials
E-Learning enviroment
(EBTT)
Improving the content
based on results
Evaluation (pedagogical efficiency and usability)

14. Laboratory of bio cybernetics
Lea Retelj, Ajda Bicek, Matevz Leskovsek, Jasna Krmelj, Tadej Kotnik, Dusa Hodzic, Marko Usaj, Gorazd Pucihar, Alenka Macek Lebar, Samo Mahnic, Barbara Mali, Tomaz Jarm, Jaka Cemazar, Selma Corovic, Denis Pavliha, Bor Kos, Masa Kanduser, Natasa Pavselj, Janez Zigon, Ivan Pavlovic, Stanislav Rebersek, David Slavic, Melvin Essone, Jure Jelenc, Matej Rebersek, Tina Batista Napotnik, Mitja Gliha, Sasa Haberl, Peter Kramar, Igor Marjanovic, Barbara Zorec, Matej Kranjc, Damijan Miklavcic.
(Missing from the photo: Karel Flisar, Marija Marcan, Andraz Polak)