Development of a Low-Cost Electroporator Using Recycled Electronic Components for Educational and Research Applications

Electroporators are widely used devices for educational and research purposes, particularly in molecular biology and genetic engineering, where they enable the introduction of foreign DNA into cells through the application of high-voltage electric pulses. Despite their utility, their high cost limits accessibility in educational and research institutions in developing countries, restricting hands-on training and the development of local biotechnological capacities. At the same time, the global increase in electronic waste has reached alarming levels, raising environmental and economic concerns. In this context, the aim of this study was to develop a functional electroporator prototype using components recovered from discarded electronic devices. The device was built using a flyback-based circuit that generated logarithmic decay pulses with a duration of 5.00 ± 0.25 ms. Pulse control was achieved through a simple resistor–capacitor (RC) circuit connected to the gate of a MOSFET, powered with 200 V at the input, and subsequently stepped up by a transformer. Stainless steel needle electrodes were used, with a separation of 1.00 ± 0.05 mm. Performance was evaluated following the protocol described by Sambrook et al. (2001), using Escherichia coli DH5α strains. Transformed cells were cultured in Luria–Bertani (LB) medium supplemented with ampicillin, yielding an average of one colony per 200 µL of culture. The results support the feasibility of building low-cost electroporators from recycled components, contributing to sustainable technology development.