Navigation Links
Models of eel cells suggest electrifying possibilities
Date:10/2/2008

Engineers long have known that great ideas can be lifted from Mother Nature, but a new paper* by researchers at Yale University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) takes it to a cellular level. Applying modern engineering design tools to one of the basic units of life, they argue that artificial cells could be built that not only replicate the electrical behavior of electric eel cells but in fact improve on them. Artificial versions of the eels electricity generating cells could be developed as a power source for medical implants and other tiny devices, they say.

The paper, according to NIST engineer David LaVan, is an example of the relatively new field of systems biology. Do we understand how a cell produces electricity well enough to design oneand to optimize that design? he asks.

Electric eels channel the output of thousands of specialized cells called electrocytes to generate electric potentials of up to 600 volts, according to biologists. The mechanism is similar to nerve cells. The arrival of a chemical signal triggers the opening of highly selective channels in a cell membrane causing sodium ions to flow in and potassium ions to flow out. The ion swap increases the voltage across the membrane, which causes even more channels to open. Past a certain point the process becomes self-perpetuating, resulting in an electric pulse traveling through the cell. The channels then close and alternate paths open to pump the ions back to their initial concentrations during a resting state.

In all, according LaVan, there are at least seven different types of channels, each with several possible variables to tweak, such as their density in the membrane. Nerve cells, which move information rather than energy, can fire rapidly but with relatively little power. Electrocytes have a slower cycle, but deliver more power for longer periods. LaVan and partner Jian Xu developed a complex numerical model to represent the
'/>"/>

Contact: Michael Baum
michael.baum@nist.gov
301-975-2763
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Source:Eurekalert  

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Smithsonian researchers develop models to assess wetland health
2. Arctic climate models playing key role in polar bear decision
3. In computer models and observations, researchers see potential for significant red tide season
4. ESF EURYI award winner aims to stop cancer cells reading their own DNA
5. Newly created cancer stem cells could aid breast cancer research
6. AIDS interferes with stem cells in the brain
7. Clemson scientists shed light on molecules in living cells
8. Social habits of cells may hold key to fighting diseases
9. UF scientists reveal how dietary restriction cleans cells
10. Human derived stem cells can repair rat hearts damaged by heart attack
11. Scientists identify embryonic stem cells by appearance alone

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Models of eel cells suggest electrifying possibilities
Models of eel cells suggest electrifying possibilities
(Date:11/5/2009)...versity have developed synthetic molecules capable...d HIV-infected cells, as well as to prostate cance...Journal of the American Chemical Society , could l...ases. , The molecules called "antibody-recruit...recruiting molecule targeting prostate cancer" (AR...
(Date:11/4/2009)...ood obesity in the United States is reaching epide...rtising on daytime and prime time television devot... about the role television plays in obesity, a stu...of Nutrition Education and Behavior examines how ...e contributor to the problem. , Researchers at t...
(Date:11/4/2009)...FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE...ic testing, information and services, announced th... income from continuing operations rose to $192 mi...on, or $0.81 per diluted share, for the third quar...educed by a $0.03 per share charge associated with...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):New synthetic molecules trigger immune response to HIV and prostate cancer 2TV bombards children with commercials for high-fat and high-sugar foods 2TV bombards children with commercials for high-fat and high-sugar foods 3Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 2Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 3Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 4Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 5Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 6Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 7Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 8Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 9Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 10Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 11Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 12Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 13Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 14Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 15Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 16Quest Diagnostics Reports Strong Performance in Third Quarter 2009 17Queens scientists on international team discover ecologically unique changes in Arctic lake 10452 1Queens scientists on international team discover ecologically unique changes in Arctic lake 10452 20 2 second test for explosive liquids 14554 10 2 second test for explosive liquids 14554 2MDS Inc Announces Shareholder Approval of Sale of MDS Analytical Technologies 59872 1MDS Inc Announces Shareholder Approval of Sale of MDS Analytical Technologies 59872 2MDS Inc Announces Shareholder Approval of Sale of MDS Analytical Technologies 59872 3
...e sure to check out the complete report on the HI...ages. , There is new evidence that adult HIV infe...d that changes in behaviour to prevent infection—s...xual experience and fewer sexual partners—have pla...t also indicates, however, that overall trends in ...
...s ago the study of the effects of atmospheric depo...entific sphere and the term "acid rain" was coined...ecause, due to the burning of fossil fuels, the am...ere is greater than that derived from natural proc...apour and under the oxido-reduction conditions pre...
... toward developing enzymes to treat diseases such ...reatsA team of biomedical researchers from Brandei... has determined the first 3-dimensional structure ...tain bacterial infections in plants, animals and h...edings of the National Academy of Sciences. , The...
Other Biology News:2005 AIDS figures released by WHO and UNAIDS 22005 AIDS figures released by WHO and UNAIDS 32005 AIDS figures released by WHO and UNAIDS 4'Acid rain' and forest mass: Another perspective 2Scientists determine structure of enzyme that disrupts bacterial virulence 2
(Date:11/9/2009)...io, Inc. announced the presentation of new data at...ma, and Immunology in Miami, Florida. The present...idase, Decreases Airway Resistance and Has Potent ...ma". ,, DAS181 (Fludase ® ) is an investig...te being studied in human clinical development for...
(Date:11/9/2009)... pharmaceutical giants use Datafarm for production...farm’s announcement comes on the heels of la...ere Health Canada stated that, effective immediate...atory submissions for New Drug Submission (NDS) ap... Marlborough, MA (PRWEB) Nove...
(Date:11/9/2009)... Following the provision of clinical,and scientifi...), privately,owned UK company Daval International ...been informed that its innovative,anti-inflammator...,designation for the treatment of Amyotrophic Late... Lou Gehrig,s disease, is the most common form of ...
(Date:11/8/2009)... Complete Genomics, a third-generation human geno... of a report in the journal Science describing i...analysis of sequence data from three complete huma...nomes sequenced on the proof-of-principle genomic ... to $1,726 for 45x coverage for the samples descri...
Breaking Biology Technology:NexBio(R) Presents Data Showing Anti-Asthma Activity of DAS181 (Fludase(R)*) at ACAAI 2009 2NexBio(R) Presents Data Showing Anti-Asthma Activity of DAS181 (Fludase(R)*) at ACAAI 2009 3Datafarm Responds to Health Canada's Announcement of Hybrid eCTD Submission Procedural Simplification 2Complete Genomics publishes in Science on low-cost sequencing of 3 human genomes 2
.... 17 National Stem,Cell Holding, Inc. (Other OTC:...n, financial information, quotations and press rel...nk Sheets., OTCIQ is a secure, web-based portal t... and services to facilitate communication with the... gather market,intelligence, and inspire better co...
...7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Vasogen Inc.,(NASDAQ: V...-II, a,confirmatory clinical trial which is design...l of the Celacade(TM) System for the treatment of ...ompany has been working diligently on the ACCLAIM-... Committee led by James B. Young,MD, Chairman, Div...
...ll Enhance Quality and Speed Image Transfer at Low...Compliance, BOSTON, Dec. 17 AG Mednet, the world...nced it has been selected by,Southwest Oncology Gr...ncer,clinical trials cooperative groups in the Uni...nd HIPAA-compliant image network. With the AG,Medn...
Other Biology Technology:National Stem Cell Holding, Inc. Posts Company and Financial Information on the OTCIQ and Has Retained New CFO and Counsel to File Registration Statement With SEC 2Vasogen Provides an Update on ACCLAIM-II Preparations 2Vasogen Provides an Update on ACCLAIM-II Preparations 3Vasogen Provides an Update on ACCLAIM-II Preparations 4AG Mednet to Provide Image Network for Southwest Oncology Group 2
Mouse Anti-Human CRKRS Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated, Clone 3C1 from Abnova Corporation
...lyclonal antibody raised against a partial recombi... 250 a.a) partial recombinant protein with GST tag...ARDSAQAKRKYQEASKDKDRDKAKDKYVRSLWKLFAHHNRYVLGVRAAQL...REMAA Accession: BC035357 Protein Accession...
Mouse Anti-PPP4C Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated from Abnova Corporation
Mouse Anti-Human CAPG Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated, Clone 6D6 from Abnova Corporation
Biology Products: