Microbioelectromagnetics

1. Biological cells in electric fields, resting and induced membrane voltage. Voltage-gated membrane channels, electrical stimulation of excitable cells. Electroporation of cell membrane.
2. Analytical derivation of induced membrane voltage in static electric fields: spherical cells (Schwan equation), cylindrical, spheroidal and ellipsoidal cells.
3. Analytical derivation of induced membrane voltage in time-varying electromagnetic fields. Generalized Schwan equation of the first and second order. Analysis of absorption of the field energy in the cell and its membrane.
4. Analytical derivation of voltage induced on membranes of intracellular ogranelles. Ratio between the voltage induced on the external and membrane and the internal membranes.
5. Numerical computation of induced membrane voltage in static electric fields: dense suspensions of spherical cells, irregularly shaped cells, clusters of electrically insulated and electrically connected cells.
6. Numerical computation of induced membrane voltage time-varying electromagnetic fields. Numerical modeling of electroporation and transport across the electroporated membrane.
7. Molecular dynamics simulations: lipid bilayed in the electric field, formation and resealing of transmembrane pores.
8. Experimental determination of membrane voltage. Potentiometric dyes, image acquisition and data processing. Experimental monitoring of opening and closing of voltage-gated channels and transport across them. Experimental monitoring of electroporation and transport across the electroporated membrane.
9. Electroporation in nature and its possible role in the evolution of microorganisms. Three biochemical mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer. Lightning as the cause of DNA release from irreversibly electroporated microorganisms, movement of released DNA in aqueous environment (electrophoresis) and DNA uptake by reversibly electroporated microorganisms.

To gain the basic understanding of the effects of electric fields on biological cells. To acquire the basic knowledge of analytical, numerical, and experimental assessment of these effects. To understand the molecular basis of the functioning of voltage-gated membrane channels and the phenomenon of membrane electroporation.

In case of sufficient number of enrolled students (at least three) lectures throughout the semester, otherwise part-time lectures and part-time self-study with regular meetings, tutorials with research work, seminar.