Bioelectricity in Morphogenesis

Abstract

Overview

Bioelectricity, present dating to the origin of life, arises whenever a cell is enclosed by a lipid bilayer, resulting in a membrane potential. This phenomenon is integral to both single-cell and collective behaviors, influencing a wide array of biological processes.

Bioelectric Activities Beyond the Nervous System

• While most research has explored the bioelectrical control of neural tissues, the role of bioelectricity in non-neural contexts is less understood and often scattered throughout the literature.
• Nevertheless, strong evidence supports the influence of bioelectric signals in various morphogenetic processes, including embryonic development, tissue repair, and disease states.

Cellular Mechanisms & Responses

This review provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on:

• How cells generate and detect bioelectrical signals
• The mechanisms by which these electrical stimuli are translated into cellular responses affecting tissue morphogenesis both in normal physiology and in pathology

Conclusion

The ubiquity and fundamental nature of bioelectric phenomena suggest a universal role for bioelectricity in shaping life, far beyond just neural tissue function. The connections between these electric signals and broad aspects of health, including disease, are increasingly recognized and require further scientific attention, especially considering potential health implications from both natural and artificial sources of electromagnetic fields.