University of Nottingham
Our cells can (literally) generate electricity, functioning as a hidden energy source, which could help transport materials or even play a fundamental role in our body’s communication.
In a recent study in PNAS Nexusresearchers from the University of Houston and Rutgers University (USA) suggest that small ripples in the fatty membranes that surround our cells could generate enough voltage to serve as a direct source of energy for some biological processes.
The fluctuations themselves have been widely studied and are known to be driven by the activity of incorporated proteins and the degradation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main means of transporting energy through cells.
The new study provides theoretical support for the possibility that the wave-like movements of membranes are strong and structured enough to create a electrical charge that cells can use in some important tasks.
Fundamental to understanding the new model is the concept of flexoelectricitywhich essentially describes the mechanism by which a voltage can be produced between contrasting deformation points in a material.
Membranes are constantly folding as a result of heat randomly fluctuating throughout the cell. As explained by , in theory, any voltage produced in this way should cancel itself out in balanced environments, making it useless as an energy source.
Researchers have reasoned that cells are not in strict equilibrium, as activity within the cell continues unceasingly to keep us alive. Knowing whether this would be enough to turn a lipid membrane into a motor required some detailed formulations.
According to the calculations carried out, flexoelectricity could create an electrical difference between the inside and outside of the cell: up to 90 millivolts, a charge enough to make a neuron fire.
The voltage produced could aid the movement of ions, the charged atoms that are controlled by the flow of electricity and chemicals. Furthermore, membrane fluctuations may be sufficient to influence biological operations such as muscle movement and sensory signals.
These findings could have implications beyond living tissues. As Science Alert highlights, researchers are advancing the idea of using these same electricity production techniques to inform the design of artificial intelligence networks and synthetic materials inspired by nature.
