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Cited by 423Electromagnetic Fields and Biological EffectsMagnetic and Electromagnetic EffectsBiofield Effects and Biophysics

Electromagnetic effects—From cell biology to medicine

Funk, Richard H.W., Monsees, Thomas, Özkucur, Nurdan·2009·Progress in Histochemistry and Cytochemistry
DOI 10.1016/j.proghi.2008.07.001
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Abstract

In this review we compile and discuss the published plethora of cell biological effects which are ascribed to electric fields (EF), magnetic fields (MF) and electromagnetic fields (EMF). In recent years, a change in paradigm took place concerning the endogenously produced static EF of cells and tissues. Here, modern molecular biology could link the action of ion transporters and ion channels to the "electric" action of cells and tissues. Also, sensing of these mainly EF could be demonstrated in studies of cell migration and wound healing. The triggers exerted by ion concentrations and concomitant electric field gradients have been traced along signaling cascades till gene expression changes in the nucleus. Far more enigmatic is the way of action of static MF which come in most cases from outside (e.g. earth magnetic field). All systems in an organism from the molecular to the organ level are more or less in motion. Thus, in living tissue we mostly find alternating fields as well as combination of EF and MF normally in the range of extremely low-frequency EMF. Because a bewildering array of model systems and clinical devices exits in the EMF field we concentrate on cell biological findings and look for basic principles in the EF, MF and EMF action. As an outlook for future research topics, this review tries to link areas of EF, MF and EMF research to thermodynamics and quantum physics, approaches that will produce novel insights into cell biology.

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  • The frequency of TTFields (100-300 kHz) would seem to preclude effects such as initiation and propagation or blocking of action potentials in nerve cells, because such effects are not seen above ~30-50 kHz.

    “Prima facie, while the amplitude of TTFields is sufficient to modulate ion channels in the cell membrane, the frequency of TTFields (100–300 kHz) would seem to preclude effects such as initiation and propagation or blocking of action potentials in nerve cells, because such effects are not seen above ~30–50 kHz [2].”

    From Permeabilizing Cell Membranes with Electric Fields (2021) · cites this paper as [2]

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Authors
Funk, R. H. W., Monsees, T., & Özkucur, N.
Affiliations
Technische Universität Dresden (DE)
Corresponding author
Funk, Richard H.W.
ORCID
Venue
Progress in Histochemistry and Cytochemistry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-02
Volume
43
Issue
4
Pages
177-264
ISSN
0079-6336 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.proghi.2008.07.001
OpenAlex
W2041236572
Cited by
423
References
433
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 17
FWCI
0.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Progress in Histochemistry and Cytochemistry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Physiology › Magnetic and Electromagnetic Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Biofield Effects and Biophysics
Keywords
electromagnetic fields, electric field, magnetic field, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields, ion channels, ion transporters, cell migration, wound healing, electric field gradient, ion gradients, signaling pathways, gene expression, geomagnetic field, clinical devices, thermodynamics, quantum physics
MeSH terms
Animals, Biology, Cells, Electricity, Electromagnetic Fields, Humans, Magnetics, Medicine

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