System and process for lysing a biological sample

A process carried out for lysing biological species present in an aqueous solution and for recovering a biological material resulting from the lysis of biological species, said process being carried out with a system for lysing said biological species, said system comprising:

• a vessel delimiting a volume,
• a first electrode comprising an end placed in said volume formed by the vessel,
• a second electrode comprising an end placed in said volume formed by the vessel and separated from the end of the first electrode by a non-zero separation distance,
• the end of the first electrode and the end of the second electrode being configured and arranged so as to ensure between them a point effect in the presence of an electric field,
• a voltage-pulse-generating circuit,
• wherein said process comprises the following steps:
• at least partially filling the volume of the vessel with the solution containing the biological species to be lysed such that the end of the first electrode and the end of the second electrode are immersed in said solution,
• applying at least one voltage pulse between the two electrode with the voltage-pulse-generating circuit connected to the two electrodes, said pulse being generated at a sufficient amplitude and for a sufficient period to bring about the creation of an electric arc between the end of the first electrode and the end of the second electrode, leading to the generation of at least one shockwave in said solution,
• recovering the biological material resulting from the lysis of the biological species contained in the solution.