"Biological batteries" heal wounds: cells

Cells in tissues foster wound healing by forming 'biological batteries' that can generate an extracellular electric field.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify chemical/electrical state >
	Chemically generate flow of electrons (redox)

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Use chemical interventions that affect ion transport in epithelial tissues to induce an electric field for accelerating wound healing particularly for diabetics and others with impaired healing systems. Design new synthetic materials that can self-repair upon application of an electric field. Detect micro-energy fields for novel medical diagnostics.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Our daily routines would be impossible without the wonders of electricity. This also applies to the cells in our bodies, each of which generates internal mini-currents to carry out its functions. It is less well known that cells in tissues (for example in our skin) can team up to form 'biological batteries' that can generate current upon wounding of the tissue. Zhao et al.¹ now present evidence that this extracellular electric field is the driving force in wound healing, and they uncover signaling pathways that control this biological phenomenon." (Vanhaesebroeck 2006:453)

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Use chemical interventions that affect ion transport in epithelial tissues to induce an electric field for accelerating wound healing particularly for diabetics and others with impaired healing systems. Design new synthetic materials that can self-repair upon application of an electric field. Detect micro-energy fields for novel medical diagnostics.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Medicine

Microbatteries - Battery cell design, biomedical implant batteries

Experts

Department of Opthamology
Min Zhao
Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen

References

Vanhaesebroeck, Bart. 2006. Charging the batteries to heal wounds through PI3K. Nat Chem Biol. 2(9): 453-455.

Zhao M; Song B; Pu J; Wada T; Reid B; Tai G; Wang F; Guo A; Walczysko P; Gu Y; Sasaki, T; Suzuki, A; Forrester, JV; Bourne, HR; Devreotes, PN; McCaig, CD; Penninger, JM. 2006. Electrical signals control wound healing through phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase-[gamma] and PTEN. Nature. 442(7101): 457-460.

"Biological batteries" heal wounds: cells

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