Keywords

Microtubule; DLS; Polymerization; External; Excitation; Electromagnetic

Abstract

Intracellular processes are influenced by mass transport at different spatial and temporal scales, facilitated by diffusion and stochastic encounters between cellular components. While traditionally explained by short-range "lock and key" interactions, some processes involve rapidly fluctuating charges generating electromagnetic (EM) fields, allowing long-range biomolecular interactions. This challenges the conventional view that efficient biochemical reactions depend solely on random encounters and short-range interactions, suggesting EM fields play a crucial role in cellular dynamics. Microtubules (MTs) are essential components of the cell cytoskeleton, responsible for intracellular transport, cell migration, cell division, etc. Beyond their mechanical role, MTs have unique electromagnetic properties due to their size, structure, and photonic characteristics, indicating active involvement in both endogenous and exogenous electromagnetic activities. MTs are dynamic molecules that constantly grow (polymerization) and shrink (depolymerization). Our observations indicate that external electromagnetic fields significantly influence MT polymerization dynamics, delaying the process of polymerization and reducing the length of microtubules. If indeed electromagnetic fields play a role at different biological scales, physiological processes could be altered by tuning the properties of these fields. This study explores this aspect of photobiology, suggesting that understanding non-thermal electrodynamics in cellular regulation could advance disease treatment, tissue engineering, and drug development by influencing cellular processes with controllable external radiation.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Summer

Thesis Chair

Dogariu, Aristide

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Department

CREOL | The College of Optics and Photonics

Thesis Discipline

Optics and Photonics

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

1 year

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright