Balloon model of biological cell electropermeabilisation in relation to the radius dependence of membrane dielectric breakdown

A previously developed biological cell model, based on liquid-filled dielectric spheroid membranes, is used to investigate characteristics of electrofusion and electroporation. In particular, the radius dependence of dielectric breakdown is manipulated so as to reduce that dependence. This is accomplished by varying the decay time of a DC capacitive discharge impulse and by varying the resistivity of the model suspension medium. A slight adaption to the model shows that it is possible to cause dielectric breakdown of a balloon within a balloon at the same threshold levels. This is indicative of an organelle such as a nucleus inside a cell