University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering Slovenia

Collaborative E-Learning application for

electroporation-based biomedical applications

June 12th-14th, 2013

Selma CorovicSelma Corovic

Background and motivation

- Electroporation of cells and tissues – Electroporation of cells and tissues – human, animal or human, animal or plant cells for different biomedical plant cells for different biomedical andand biotechnological biotechnological applicationsapplications

- Electroporation based biomedical applications Electroporation based biomedical applications require multidisciplinary expertise: oncologists, require multidisciplinary expertise: oncologists, physicists, engineers…physicists, engineers…

Collaborative E-Learning application

clinical electrochemotherapyclinical electrochemotherapy - cancer - cancer treatment treatment

Oncology Oncology Biomedical engineering Biomedical engineering

E-Learning enviromentE-Learning enviroment(EBTT)(EBTT)

E-Learning enviromentE-Learning enviroment(EBTT)(EBTT)

E-learning application on cells and tissues

E-learning application on cells and tissues

ResearchResearch

Clinical trialsClinical trials

Improving the contentImproving the contentbased on resultsbased on results

ColColllecting ecting the knowledgethe knowledge

Designing Designing the contentthe content

E-Learning application

++

EvaluationEvaluation (pedagogical efficiency and usability) (pedagogical efficiency and usability)

E-Learning enviromentE-Learning enviromentE-Learning enviromentE-Learning enviroment

Electroporation based technologies and treatmentsElectroporation based technologies and treatmentsInternational SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP and POSTGRADUATE COURSEInternational SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP and POSTGRADUATE COURSE

November 18-24, 2012November 18-24, 2012, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia

LecturesLectures Practical workPractical work

Lectures were recordedLectures were recorded

molecules cell membrane

ElectroporationElectroporation

Important parameter for effective electroporationImportant parameter for effective electroporation local electric field distribution E [V/cm]!local electric field distribution E [V/cm]!

Cell membrane Cell Tissue

Electroporated

Local electric field distribution E >Erev

(a)The electroporation of cell membrane first occurs within the cell area facing the electrodes

(b)Different electroporation regimes: reversible Erev < E < Eirrev and irreversible E >Eirrev

UTI = −1.5 r E cos (φ)

Electroporation is used in: - clinical electrochemotherapyclinical electrochemotherapy, non-viral gene electrotransfer for gene therapy and DNA vaccination, transdermal drug delivery…- liquid food sterilization, water treatment, electrofusion of cells…

Applications of Electroporation

biomedical

timeElectrodes

Electric pulse generator

Tumour

Chemotherapeutic surrounds the cells

Increased membrane permeability allows access to the cytosol

Pores reseal

Injecting chemotherapeutic

Electric pulse application

Electrochemotherapy =

= chemotherapy + electroporation

Local electric field distribution:Local electric field distribution:

drug injection

++

U/dU/d

ResultResult

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

Protocols and local electric field distribution in tumorsProtocols and local electric field distribution in tumors

the entire the entire volume of the

volume of the tumortumorneeds to be

needs to be subjected to

subjected to the E ≥ Erevthe E ≥ Erev

Importance of an adequate local electric field for successful tissue electroporation (example: unsuccessful tumor treatment)

the entire the entire volume of the

volume of the tumortumorneeds to be

needs to be subjected to

subjected to the E ≥ Erevthe E ≥ Erev

Clinical use of electrochemotherapy

Reimbursed in:Germany, UK, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia.

Poland – in progress for reimbursement. ECT approved by Minister of Health.

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

Clinical use of electrochemotherapy

E-Learning enviromentE-Learning enviroment(EBTT)(EBTT)

E-Learning enviromentE-Learning enviroment(EBTT)(EBTT)

E-learning application on cells and tissues

E-learning application on cells and tissues

ResearchResearch

Clinical trialsClinical trials

Improving the contentImproving the contentbased on resultsbased on results

ColColllecting ecting the knowledgethe knowledge

Designing Designing the contentthe content

E-Learning application

++

EvaluationEvaluation (pedagogical efficiency and usability) (pedagogical efficiency and usability)

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)

http://lbk.fe.uni-lj.si