Analysis of electromagnetic response of cells and lipid membranes using a model-free method

• Published in: Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Vol. 152; p. 108444
• Main Authors: Lu, Yingxian, Tang, Xiaping, Zhao, Yanyu, Jiang, Tianyu, Zhou, Jiayao, Wang, Xiaofei, Huang, Bing, Liu, Lingyu, Deng, Hu, Huang, Yujing, Shi, Yigong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.08.2023
• Subjects: Cell; Electromagnetic response; Lipid membrane; Model-free analysis; Permittivity measurement; Permittivity measurement; Model-free analysis; Electromagnetic response; Lipid membrane; Cell
• ISSN: 1567-5394; 1878-562X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108444

•A model-free method of permittivity analysis to reveal EMR response of biomaterial.•A featured signal of cells/lipid membranes relevant to β-dispersion is observed.•The results of our method and the model-fitting method are positively correlated.•Our method requires less computing resource and is applicable to other materials. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is omnipresent on earth and may interact with the biological systems in diverse manners. But the scope and nature of such interactions remain poorly understood. In this study, we have measured the permittivity of cells and lipid membranes over the EMR frequency range of 20 Hz to 4.35 × 1010 Hz. To identify EMR frequencies that display physically intuitive permittivity features, we have developed a model-free method that relies on a potassium chloride reference solution of direct-current (DC) conductivity equal to that of the target sample. The dielectric constant, which reflects the capacity to store energy, displays a characteristic peak at 105–106 Hz. The dielectric loss factor, which represents EMR absorption, is markedly enhanced at 107–109 Hz. The fine characteristic features are influenced by the size and composition of these membraned structures. Mechanical disruption results in abrogation of these characteristic features. Enhanced energy storage at 105–106 Hz and energy absorption at 107–109 Hz may affect certain membrane activity relevant to cellular function.