University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering Slovenia

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

6. Local electric field distributionE >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 rE 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. 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 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 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 biocybernetics http://lbk.fe.uni-lj.si 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)