membranepermeabilising

Membrane permeabilisation, or membrane permeabilization, is the process by which the integrity of a biological membrane is transiently or permanently disrupted to increase its permeability to ions, molecules, or larger cargos. It can occur naturally or be induced deliberately in laboratory or therapeutic settings. When used deliberately, permeabilisation is typically controlled to allow entry of substances such as nucleic acids, proteins, or drugs while aiming to preserve cell viability.

Mechanisms and methods: Permeabilisation can result from chemical agents that disrupt lipid bilayers (detergents, alcohols, saponins) or from agents that form pores in membranes (pore-forming toxins). Physical approaches include electroporation, ultrasound (sonoporation), laser-based photoporation, and mechanical methods. Biological strategies use cell-penetrating peptides or viral vectors to facilitate entry. Some methods target the plasma membrane, others affect internal membranes such as those of organelles.

Applications and considerations: In research, permeabilisation enables delivery of DNA, RNA, proteins, or dyes for assays, imaging, or functional studies. It is also used in drug delivery and vaccine technologies. Important considerations include the balance between efficiency and cytotoxicity, whether permeabilisation is reversible, and the potential for artifacts if membranes do not recover properly. Assessment often relies on dyes that indicate membrane integrity, leakage of intracellular enzymes, or functional readouts after recovery.