34th STS Spins Lecture: "All Wired Up: Understanding the Role of Electricity within Biology"
Bridging Biology and Electronics: Two Approaches
Interfacing electronics with biology can be approached in two ways: integrating biological principles into electronic devices (like ATP-powered nano-hands) or embedding electronics into biological systems (like controlling insects with electronic devices). Both avenues represent significant frontiers in 21st-century research.
Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment with Fields
Emerging research suggests that cancer treatment, traditionally reliant on chemotherapy, can be revolutionized by using precisely controlled electric and magnetic fields. This FDA-approved therapy, particularly for brain cancer, highlights a paradigm shift towards less toxic and potentially more effective interventions.
The Cytoskeleton: More Than Just Structure
The cell's cytoskeleton, composed of protein polymers like actin, microtubules, and vimentin, is fundamental for maintaining cell shape, division, and movement. However, these structures also possess intriguing electronic properties that are key to understanding cellular functions and developing new bio-electronic devices.
Harnessing Protein Properties for Sustainable Tech
The research aims to leverage the electronic and electromagnetic properties of proteins, such as their ability to absorb light and transfer energy, to create sustainable, protein-based alternatives to silicon-based technologies like solar cells and LEDs. This could significantly reduce environmental pollution associated with current electronics.
s1: Biochemistry and Electronics are Intertwined
The fundamental principle is that by altering the biochemistry of a system, one can also alter its electronics. This implies that changes in biological processes, such as those induced by chemotherapy drugs, directly impact the conductive properties of cellular components. The research suggests a direct link between biological interactions and electronic properties.
s1: Proteins as Conductors and Future Applications
Proteins can indeed act as conductors, a finding that has garnered interest from major tech companies like Google for potential applications in creating protein-based electronic devices. This research also opens possibilities for using electrical fields or light to treat diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
s1: Investigating Phosphorescence in Proteins
Following up on fluorescence studies, the next research goal is to investigate phosphorescence in proteins. Phosphorescence, which occurs in the triplet state and lasts longer than fluorescence (microseconds to milliseconds), could potentially be used to create phosphorescence-based devices and conductivity in proteins.
s1: Identifying High-Conductance Proteins for Devices
Analysis of proteins in the RCSB PDB Protein Data Bank revealed specific candidates with high conductivity in the phosphorescent state, some approaching the conductivity of silicon. One such protein, SpO3Ag, found on bacterial membranes, is being considered for designing electronic devices due to its high electronic conductance.
s1: The Vision for a Quantum Biology Center
The speaker aims to establish a joint center for Quantum Biology between AIIMS and IIT Delhi, fostering collaboration between engineers and doctors to solve medical problems using electrical, magnetic, and light-based approaches. This initiative has garnered significant interest from various departments and international collaborators.
s1 on Ethical Implications of Bio-Electronic Control
Regarding the control of organisms via electronic signals, such as the cockroach experiment, the speaker acknowledges the significant ethical issues, especially if applied to humans. While such control is currently feasible in insects by hijacking specific nerves, it is vastly more complex and unlikely for humans due to their advanced neural systems.
s1: Electric Fields Can Influence Protein Folding
Applying electric fields or currents can potentially alter protein folding, which could be leveraged to create logic gates or other complex structures. This capability is linked to the fact that proteins can have different electrical properties depending on their folded state, including misfolded states associated with diseases like Prion disease.
