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The Impact of Biomaterial Charge on Cells' Bioelectrical Signaling
Allyson C Deihl1, Augustine Oboseoye Odibo1, Jhonatan A Gutierrez-Rivera2
1Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA.
Cells, Tissues, Organs
|June 9, 2026
Summary
Charged biomaterials significantly influence cell behavior and tissue regeneration by modulating bioelectrical signals through intrinsic charge. Further research is needed to fully understand these charge-driven interactions for advanced biomaterial design.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Bioelectricity
- Cellular Signaling
Background:
- Bioelectrical signaling, driven by ion fluxes, regulates cell behavior, tissue patterning, and regeneration.
- Intrinsic biomaterial charge effects on bioelectrical signaling are underexplored compared to exogenous electrical stimulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how charged biomaterials influence bioelectrical signaling and downstream human cell responses.
- To explore the fundamentals of bioelectricity and various classes of charged biomaterials.
- To highlight mechanistic links between material charge and cellular processes and tissue applications.
Main Methods:
- Review of bioelectricity fundamentals (electrochemical gradients, Nernst potentials, membrane potential).
- Discussion of charged biomaterial classes (polymers, hydrogels, piezoelectric systems, nanoparticles).
- Analysis of how material charge properties affect protein adsorption, cell signaling, and membrane potential.
Main Results:
- Charged biomaterials modulate bioelectrical signaling via electrostatic fields, Donnan effects, and charge transport.
- Material charge influences cell adhesion, viability, migration, proliferation, and differentiation.
- Applications span cardiac tissue engineering, bone regeneration, neural interfaces, and wound healing.
Conclusions:
- Charged biomaterials offer potential for regenerative medicine by modulating bioelectrical signals.
- Mechanistic studies isolating charge effects are limited, often confounded by mechanical/biochemical cues.
- Further research on cell-biomaterial charge interactions is crucial for advancing biomaterial design and understanding immune modulation.
