Electrostrictive forces on vesicles with compartmentalized permittivity and conductivity conditions

Electrostrictive forces on the plasma membrane of a lipid bilayer vesicle that result as a consequence of an applied electric field and differential dielectric material properties can be calculated via the Maxwell stress tensor. In this situation, the plasma membrane is proposed as a barrier that separates compartments of a system with different conductivity and relative permittivity values. A numerical model of this case is presented. Model force calculations compare with analytical equation results and were used to validate published experimental work. The model also was used to study electrostatic forces in a simple vesicle system contrasting such forces to frequency dependent deformations. Model results for vesicles in variable conductivity and relative permittivity environments are analyzed to build a framework with the potential to become a tool to study more complex problems with multiple compartments such as cells and tissues. Impedance spectroscopy is also explored as a potential experimental method to predict cell and tissue system behavior in the presence of electric fields.