A Review of Electromagnetic Activity in Cellular Mechanics

Abstract

This is a review of recent literature concerning electromagnetic effects on cellular mechanics. "Recent" refers primarily to papers published in this (the 21 st ) century. The review shows that there are relatively few papers on cellular electromagnetics as compared with those on proteins, biochemistry, and cellular anatomy. The principal finding of the reviewed papers is that cellular electromagnetic fields appear to arise from longitudinal vibrations of the filaments making up the walls of the microtubules. Microtubules are long hollow cylinders which form the overall structure of the centrioles. The microtubules, and therefore the centrioles themselves, are arranged in nine sets of parallel blades with each blade having three microtubules. The centrioles occur in pairs perpendicularly to each other. During mitosis (cell division) the centriole pair becomes two pair which then separate and divide the cell into two. It seems that electromagnetic forces play a central role in this division. Electromagnetic activity in wound healing and in the imaging and treatment of tumors is discussed.

The Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Human Health: Recent Advances and Future

“…Microtubules, actin filaments and intermediate fi-laments constitute the cytoskeleton that provides the structural support for eukaryotic cells. Microtubules are formed by α/β tubulin dimers, which have positive and negative charges at the ends [41] . Hence, a microtubule filament can be considered as a series of tiny batteries that are stacked end-to-end.…”

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“…Novocure TM 's Optune® identified the improper formation of microtubules as key to the inhibitory action on GBM. In literature relevant to the intracellular mechanics of centrioles the presence of electromagnetic forces is evident (58). Microtubules are hollow cylinders composed of 13 longitudinal filaments.…”

“…The filaments are strings of alpha/beta tubulin dimers connected end to end with the alpha/beta tubulin dimers having positive and negative charges at their ends. During filament movement, by means of their vibration, oscillation of these charged dimers produces an electromagnetic field (58). Evidence of cellular electromagnetic field activity occurs during mitosis when centriole pairs are separated to diametrically opposite sides of the nucleus and extend out microtubules toward each other to begin the separation the cell in two (58).…”

“…During filament movement, by means of their vibration, oscillation of these charged dimers produces an electromagnetic field (58). Evidence of cellular electromagnetic field activity occurs during mitosis when centriole pairs are separated to diametrically opposite sides of the nucleus and extend out microtubules toward each other to begin the separation the cell in two (58). This electromagnetically active area certainly appears to continue to be a prime target for Novocure TM 's treatment and future research.…”

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“…The accompanying figure outlines elements of cell biology which can go awry during cell duplication and division [1,2]. If a duplication problem occurs, the cell often dies.…”