Bioelectric Signalling and Cellular Communication
How bioelectric signalling might override genetic instructions
Hello world — great to have you here for the first “real” post where we dig into some fascinating concepts. As I write these I am learning how to go through the myriad of knowledge out there. The non-linear approach. Let’s see how it pans out.
Today I am digging into an “early paper” published by Michael Levin, Giovanni Pezzulo, and Joshua M. Finkelstein. “Endogenous Bioelectric Signaling Networks: Exploiting Voltage Gradients for Control of Growth and Form1” (it’s a mouthful). The concept I am interested about today is Bioelectricity and how cells communicate. You’re probably not going to read it. But that’s fine and that’s why I am learning this stuff and trying to translate it into simple lingo.
Let’s get into it.
What the heck is Bioelectricity?
Imagine our body as a bustling city (think Hong Kong or Bangkok). This city has millions of tiny workers which we call cells, all communicating and working together to accomplish variety of different goals. Now, they don’t really use WhatsApp to communicate — these cells send messages using tiny electrical signals. That’s what bioelectricity is all about.
Bioelectricity then refers to the natural electrical signals that exist within and between the cells in living organisms. You might think of the electricity that powers our homes or our electric cars — but it’s way more subtle than that.
Let’s deep-dive.
Bioelectricity: The Cellular Power Grid
Cell Membranes as Gatekeepers: Every cell in our body is surrounded by a membrane (this is incredibly cool and deserves it’s own post). It’s kind of like a thin but tough wall surrounding the cell — not too tough, nor too soft. It has to be able to let certain things in and out. This creates a barrier between the outside and the inside.
Ions: The Charged Messengers: Inside and outside of cells, there are dissolved particles called ions. We consume foods and liquids on a daily basis. Our bodies contain a lot of water. When some compounds (like table salt, NaCI — sodium chloride) are put into water, the water molecules pull the compound apart. Sodium chloride dissolves into separate sodium (Na+) and chloride (CI-) ions. These ions have an electrical charge, either positive or negative. Common ions include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (CI-) and calcium (Ca2+). The stuff of electrolyte drinks.
The Concentration Game: Cells try really hard to maintain different concentrations of these ions inside vs. outside the membrane. For example, there is usually more potassium inside cells and more sodium outside.
Voltage Across the Membrane: The difference in ion concentrations creates a kind of electrical pressure across the cell wall (membrane). We call this voltage.
Ion Channels - The Gates/Doors: Cells have special proteins embedded in their membranes (the wall). They are called ion channels and they are fucking cool. They act like gates or doors as I like to visualise them. They can open and close, allowing specific ions to flow in or out of the cell.
Creating Bioelectrical Signals: When ion channels (the door) opens or close, it lets some charged particles move in or out. This changes the mix of charged particles inside and outside. As this changes, so does the electrical pressure (voltage) across the cell wall (membrane). This change in voltage is what we call a bioelectric signal. A tiny electrical message that the cell can use or respond to — that WhatsApp message you sent or received.
More Than The Brain: We often associate these electrical signals with nerve cells or neurons, especially found in our brains and spinal cord. But here is the crazy part; this bioelectric activity or signalling happens in all types of cells in our body. It plays roles in development, healing and even cancer.
A Language of Voltages: Different patterns of ion flow (changes of the mix inside and outside) and voltage changes can convey different “messages” to cells. This bioelectrical language helps coordinate super complex processes like embryo development (tiny alien looking things to full-fledged babies) and organ formation.
Measuring Biolelectricity: We can measure these tiny voltages using sensitive gadgets. Some dyes can change color based on the voltage across cell membranes, allowing us to “see” bioelectrical patterns in tissues.
How fucking crazy is that? Simply put bioelectrical signalling is basically the language and communication device of cells. It’s like an electrical blueprint that helps guide how our bodies are built. Kind of like software. Here is the kicker; bioelectrical signals might be able to override the genetic instructions. This is huge. This would mean that by manipulating these signals, we might be able to control an organism’s shape and structure without changing it’s DNA.
Now how does this relate back to solving cancer and potentially all other diseases we face today? The most exciting prospect here is that by changing electrical state of cells, we might able to turn cancer cells back into normal cells. Heck, all humans are made of complex organ systems. Complex organ systems are made of organs. Organs are made of tissues. Tissues are made up of cells. This could even solve aging itself — tackling all diseases.
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Do not go gentle into that good night.
That’s it for this time around, let’s see what we figure out tomorrow. Thanks for reading,
Lush