Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
08:23
Finite Element Modelling of a Cellular Electric Microenvironment
Published on: May 18, 2021
Electromagnetic cellular interactions.
Michal Cifra1, Jeremy Z Fields, Ashkan Farhadi
1Institute of Photonics and Electronics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic. cifra@ufe.cz
Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology
|August 3, 2010
Summary
Cells communicate via electromagnetic fields, not just chemical or electrical signals. This review explores theories and evidence for electromagnetic field generation, detection, and interaction across diverse cell types.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Electromagnetism
Background:
- Cellular communication is primarily understood through chemical and electrical signaling.
- Interactions mediated by other physical fields, particularly electromagnetic fields, are less explored.
- Existing research often focuses on specialized electro-excitable cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review theories and experimental evidence of electromagnetic field generation and detection by cells.
- To investigate the potential of cell-generated electromagnetic fields in mediating intercellular interactions.
- To consider a broad range of cell types and electromagnetic spectrum frequencies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of theoretical models on cellular electromagnetic field generation and detection.
- Analysis of experimental studies investigating electromagnetic cellular interactions.
- Inclusion of research across the electromagnetic spectrum from kHz to visible light.
Main Results:
- A substantial number of theories exist regarding how cells generate and detect electromagnetic fields.
- Experimental evidence, though currently limited, consistently supports electromagnetic cellular interactions.
- These physical processes are likely common to most living cell types, not just specialized ones.
Conclusions:
- Electromagnetic fields represent a viable, albeit under-explored, modality for cellular communication.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and significance of electromagnetic interactions in biology.
- Accumulating evidence suggests a fundamental role for electromagnetic fields in biological systems.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Interaction of EM Radiation with Matter: Spectroscopy
Electromagnetic (EM) radiation can be considered an oscillating electric and magnetic field propagating through a medium that can interact with matter in its path. The electric field in the radiation can interact with electrical charges in the atoms or molecules in the matter. On the other hand, the magnetic field can interact with the magnetic field in the atomic nucleus. The study of the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter is termed spectroscopy. Spectroscopy is the study...
01:30Electromagnetic Fields
Electric fields generated by static charges, often referred to as electrostatic fields, are characteristically different from electric fields created by time-varying magnetic fields. While the former is a conservative field, implying that no net work is done on a test charge if it goes around in a complete loop in the field, the latter is, by definition, not a conservative field; net work is done, and it is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux.
However, the observation of Gauss's...
However, the observation of Gauss's...
01:10Dual Nature of Electromagnetic (EM) Radiation
Electromagnetic (EM) radiation consists of electric and magnetic field components oscillating in planes perpendicular to each other and mutually perpendicular to radiation propagation through space. EM radiation can be classified as a wave, characterized by the properties of waves such as wavelength (denoted as λ) and frequency (represented by ν).
Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks (the highest point) or troughs (the lowest point) in the wave. Frequency is the number of...
Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks (the highest point) or troughs (the lowest point) in the wave. Frequency is the number of...
01:26Applications of EMF Measurements
Electromotive force (EMF) measurements have a broad range of applications in various fields, including chemistry and physics. The electrochemical series, an arrangement of elements in order of their standard electrode potentials, can be determined through EMF measurements. Elements with lower standard potentials can reduce ions of elements with higher standard potentials.The standard cell potential, E°, allows for the calculation of the standard reaction Gibbs energy, ΔG°, and the equilibrium...
01:20Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
01:29Maxwell's Equation Of Electromagnetism
James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879) was one of the major contributors to physics in the nineteenth century. Although he died young, he made major contributions to the development of the kinetic theory of gases, to the understanding of color vision, and to understanding the nature of Saturn's rings. He is probably best known for having combined existing knowledge on the laws of electricity and magnetism with his insights into a complete overarching electromagnetic theory, which is represented by...