Bioelectric signals in embryos can affect brain cell growth
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.028699
Nature : Michael Levin of Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, and his colleagues have investigated the way bioelectric signals in animal cells can be altered during embryonic growth to trigger unusual results, such as the development of a functional eye in a tadpole’s tail and additional legs on frogs. Now they have shown that changing voltage gradients across cell membranes in the brains of frog embryos can stimulate the growth of additional brain cells. Their approach is based on the fact that cells communicate with each other through voltage gradients. By adjusting communication between certain areas, Levin’s team was able to stimulate unusual growth. In the case of the brain cell study, the stimulated growth was even enough to overcome genetic mutations that normally resulted in brain defects.