Bioelectrical signaling has rich history

SEP 01, 2013

DOI: 10.1063/PT.3.2099

Roderic Lakes

The report on bioelectrical signaling work done by Michael Levin and colleagues (Physics Today, March 2013, page 16 ) omits the fact that better results were obtained many years ago. R. O. Becker considered axial electric signals in light of the ability of salamanders to regenerate limbs. ¹ With A. A. Marino, he used biological effects of electrical signals ² to stimulate the regrowth of portions of amputated limbs in rats; ³ Becker also demonstrated that those limbs usually do not regenerate; ⁴ and he and others showed that cartilage and bone are electrically active. ⁵

References

1. R. O. Becker, Science 134, 101 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.134.3472.101
2. A. A. Marino, R. O. Becker, Physiol. Chem. Phys. 9, 131 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1039/b614849b
3. R. O. Becker, Nature 235, 109 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/235109a0
4. R. O. Becker, J. A. Spadaro, Bull. NY Acad. Med. 48, 627 (1972);
R. O. Becker, J. Bone Joint Surg. Am. 43, 643 (1961).
5. C. A. L. Bassett, R. Pawluk, Science 178, 982 (1972); https://doi.org/10.1126/science.178.4064.982
S. B. Lang, Nature 212, 704 (1966); https://doi.org/10.1038/212704a0
G. B. Reinish, A. S. Nowick, Nature 253, 626 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253626a0

More about the Authors

Roderic Lakes. (lakes@engr.wisc.edu) University of Wisconsin–Madison.