Electroporation Technology Project for Improving Drug Delivery Supervised by Professor Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Mardas 1. Project Concept (What is Electroporation?) Electroporation is a physical phenomenon that occurs when tissues or cells are exposed to a strong electric field for a very short period (nanometers or microseconds). This field disrupts the cell membrane, creating temporary microscopic "holes" in it. 2. Medical Objective (Why Use It?) The primary objective is to overcome the "resistance" of the cell membrane that prevents the entry of some large or charged chemotherapy drugs: • Increased Permeability: These holes allow the drug to enter directly into the cytoplasm of the cancer cell, thus increasing the effectiveness of treatment with lower doses. • Reduced Side Effects: Because we increase the drug's effectiveness only in the targeted area, we need to use less chemotherapy, which reduces harm to the rest of the body. • 3. System Technical Components (as shown in your images): • Control System (Arduino Uno): Your images show the Arduino acting as the system's brain, regulating the timing and duration of the pulses. • LCD Screen: Displays the system's operating status (e.g., the "System Ready" message shown in the images). • Probes and Electrodes: Wires connected to metal probes immersed in the simulated medium (the spark in the image) are shown. These probes are responsible for transmitting the electrical pulse to the tissue. • Power Switch: Manually activates the system and ensures safety during experiments. 4. Engineering and Scientific Principles: • High Voltage: The system requires circuits capable of generating a high enough voltage to disrupt the stability of the cell membrane. • Safety Factor: The project focuses on ensuring that the pulses are very short enough to open pores without causing thermal damage to the cell (non-thermal electroporation). The scientific importance of the project: Your project presents a prototype of a technology currently used in what is called “electrochemotherapy”, and it opens new horizons for treating intractable tumors with high precision and with the least amount of pain and side effects.