Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Halleh B. Balch, Allister F. McGuire, Jason Horng, Hsin-Zon Tsai, Kevin K. Qi, Yi-Shiou Duh, Patrick R. Forrester, Michael F. Crommie, Bianxiao Cui, Feng Wang
Summary: The measurement of electrical activity across systems of excitable cells presents significant technological challenges due to the vast differences in intensity, space, and time. Developing methods for high spatial resolution network-scale recordings remains crucial for studying electrogenic cells, emergent networks, and bioelectric computation.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
V Biasci, L. Santini, G. A. Marchal, S. Hussaini, C. Ferrantini, R. Coppini, L. M. Loew, S. Luther, M. Campione, C. Poggesi, F. S. Pavone, E. Cerbai, G. Bub, L. Sacconi
Summary: This study proposes an optogenetics-based approach to manipulate cardiac electrical activity by using sub-threshold illumination. The effects of sub-threshold illumination on isolated cardiomyocytes and whole hearts are investigated, showing that it can prolong action potentials and reduce conduction velocity in a space-selective and reversible manner. The study also explores the role of cardiac alternans in the spontaneous termination of ventricular tachycardias, finding that sub-threshold illumination decreases tachycardia stability primarily due to an increase in the amplitude of electrical oscillations.
BASIC RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xin Zheng, Bo Zhao, Chunguang Liu
Summary: The study found that thermophilic hydrogen-producing bacteria can effectively use glucose as an electron donor to reduce V(V) to V(IV) through biological and chemical pathways at higher temperatures. Addition of glucose enhances V(V) reduction better, and thermophilic hydrogen-producing bacteria regulate cellular metabolism and secrete extracellular polymers during the reduction process.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Giuseppe E. Biccario, Oleg Vitrenko, Roberto Nonis, Stefano D'Amico
Summary: The reduction of nominal supply voltage in CMOS technologies poses challenges in implementing circuit blocks compliant with standardized communication protocols or dealing with off-chip signals in voltage domains larger than the nominal supply. Design techniques like cascoding, voltage shifting, and adaptive biasing are effective at avoiding the need for customized voltage resistant I/O devices, but the design of switches in multiple-channel blocks becomes critical.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS I-REGULAR PAPERS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Francesca Puppo, Sanaz Sadegh, Cleber A. Trujillo, Martin Thunemann, Evan P. Campbell, Matthieu Vandenberghe, Xiwei Shan, Ibrahim A. Akkouh, Evan W. Miller, Brenda L. Bloodgood, Gabriel A. Silva, Anders M. Dale, Gaute T. Einevoll, Srdjan Djurovic, Ole A. Andreassen, Alysson R. Muotri, Anna Devor
Summary: Voltage imaging and all-optical electrophysiology in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons offer new opportunities for high-throughput phenotyping of neuronal activity with unique genetic backgrounds. By using a synthetic voltage sensor and genetically encoded optogenetic actuator, this study demonstrates a reliable protocol for measuring spontaneous and evoked activity in hiPSC-derived neurons with distinct genetic backgrounds.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Martin R. Silic, GuangJun Zhang
Summary: Developmental patterning is crucial for regulating cellular events and understanding its mechanisms is a central challenge in developmental biology. Bioelectric signals regulated by ion channels have been identified as an important player in the patterning mechanism, interacting with morphogens. Evidence from various model organisms has shown the roles of bioelectricity in embryonic development, regeneration, and cancer. The zebrafish model, with its advantages of external development, transparent early embryogenesis, and tractable genetics, provides great potential for studying bioelectricity.
Article
Physiology
Caterina Credi, Valentina Balducci, U. Munagala, C. Cianca, S. Bigiarini, Antoine A. F. de Vries, Leslie M. Loew, Francesco S. Pavone, Elisabetta Cerbai, Laura Sartiani, Leonardo Sacconi
Summary: The new method MULTIPLE combines high-power LED arrays and sCMOS sensors for optical detection and stimulation to achieve high-throughput studies of cardiac electrophysiology. The method was first characterized in terms of illumination intensity and optical detection performance, and then applied to probing action potential features in cells. Ultimately, the method successfully detected action potential changes across a 24-well plate.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Erin E. Berlew, Ivan A. Kuznetsov, Keisuke Yamada, Lukasz J. Bugaj, Joel D. Boerckel, Brian Y. Chow
Summary: Optogenetic tools are created to control RhoA GTPase, a central regulator of actin organization and actomyosin contractility. These tools can induce potent contractile signaling on the membrane and provide precise spatial stimulation to cells, leading to YAP transcriptional activity verification of their action.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Robert T. Graham, R. Ryley Parrish, Laura Alberio, Emily L. Johnson, Laura Owens, Andrew J. Trevelyan
Summary: Brain-state transitions, such as the onset of seizures, are difficult to predict but may be detected through changes in brain rhythms. This study demonstrates the potential benefits of an 'active probing' approach using optogenetics for epilepsy management, including the ability to predict seizure-like activity and provide a warning before onset.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Han Kim, Kento Okada, Inseok Chae, Butaek Lim, Seungwook Ji, Yoonji Kwon, Seung-Wuk Lee
Summary: The first observation of heat-induced electrical potential generation and detection of a virus is demonstrated. Bio-pyroelectricity is manifested by the unfolding of α-helical protein structure and can be tuned by genetic engineering. This biopyroelectrics introduce novel opportunities to detect various viral particles and facilitate the development of novel biomaterials for future applications in biosensors and bioelectric materials.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Xin Lou, Qiang Li
Summary: This article proposes a novel 48 V/1.8 V converter for high-performance microprocessors, which achieves high efficiency and power density. The converter utilizes a unique magnetic structure and optimized winding arrangement, resulting in high efficiency and compact size. Experimental results demonstrate that the converter has high power density and peak efficiency.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Kangyu Su, Zhang Qiu, Jian Xu
Summary: This article introduces a new prototype of electrical stimulator and proposes three key techniques to automatically adjust the supply voltage, improve current accuracy, and generate arbitrary stimulus waveforms, which are suitable for implantable and wearable devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ali Riza Deniz
Summary: In this study, lead oxide (PbO2) was used as an interface material in Schottky diode applications, and its morphological properties were analyzed. Reference diode and PbO2/n-Si heterojunctions were fabricated and the parameters were calculated. The experiment showed that the diode parameters were strongly temperature-dependent, and the diode capacitance decreased with increasing frequency.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zulfiqar Ahmad Bhatti, Mahnoor Syed, Farhana Maqbool, Yang-Guo Zhao, Xu Ying, Muhammad Faisal Siddiqui, Qaisar Mahmood
Summary: This study investigated the potential use of different concentrations of molasses wastewater in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for bioelectricity production and reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results showed that an MFC with a molasses concentration of 5 g L-1 exhibited more efficient power generation compared to acetate, while the COD removal efficiency was similar for both molasses and acetate.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiao-Long Cheng, Qiang Xu, Jia-Dong Sun, Chun-Rui Li, Qian-Wen Yang, Biao Li, Xue-Ying Zhang, Jun Zhou, Xiao-Yu Yong
Summary: Quorum sensing signals have significant effects on the performance of EABs in bioelectrochemical systems, enhancing voltage output and antibiotic degradation. Furthermore, the signals also play a role in balancing self-protection and electron transfer through the distribution of EPS.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Lakshwin Shreesha, Michael Levin
Summary: Biological genotypes are not directly responsible for phenotypes; developmental physiology acts as a control layer between genomes and abilities determined by selection. Cellular competency plays a key role, as cells have complex behavior capabilities inherited from unicellular organisms. In an evolutionary simulation using artificial embryogeny, we found that even minimal cellular ability to improve position in the embryo enhances evolutionary search performance. Increasing behavioral competency masks raw fitness encoded by structural genes, with selection favoring developmental problem-solving capacities. This feedback loop explains the divergence of genome from anatomy in species like planaria, and suggests strategies for engineering novel systems.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Surama Biswas, Wesley Clawson, Michael Levin
Summary: Trainability refers to the ability to change future behavior based on past experiences. In biological cells and tissues, this capacity has been found in gene regulatory circuit models and protein pathways, which exhibit various kinds of memory. These memories are robust to noise and can be controlled using stimuli derived from computational models, offering potential applications in biomedicine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Michael Levin
Summary: Each of us undergoes a remarkable journey from basic matter to complex mind, starting as a quiescent oocyte and gradually transforming into an adult with metacognitive processes. We are not a singular self, but rather a collective intelligence comprising countless cells working together to generate a coherent cognitive being. The ability to turn physiological competencies into large-scale behavioral intelligences extends beyond the brain's electrical dynamics and has deep connections to embryogenesis, regeneration, and cancer suppression. Understanding the bioelectric dynamics underlying the construction of complex bodies and brains is crucial for comprehending the evolution and design of diverse intelligences across Earth's phylogenetic history.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Levin
Summary: The layer of developmental physiology, operating between genotype and phenotype, plays a critical role in evolution. Cellular capabilities derived from ancestral unicellular organisms contribute to the evolutionary process in multicellular organisms. The multiscale competency architecture of biological structures, encompassing cells, tissues, and organs, allows for regulative plasticity and adaptation across metabolic, transcriptional, physiological, and anatomical problem spaces.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Javier Cervera, Michael Levin, Salvador Mafe
Summary: Cells coordinate their activities towards multicellular goals through efficient information processing mechanisms. Bioelectrical signals encode instructive rules at multiple scales, influencing transcription and morphogenesis. Biophysical models suggest that bi-stable and oscillatory bioelectrical memories can form pattern memories instructive for morphological outcomes. Multicellular aggregates exhibit spatio-temporal distributions of ions and activators correlated with electric potential patterns, forming dynamic subsystems with cells sharing the same bioelectrical state. Manipulating these subsystems allows for retrieval or rewriting of pattern memories, influencing morphology.
PHYSICS REPORTS-REVIEW SECTION OF PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Anna Ciaunica, Evgeniya V. Shmeleva, Michael Levin
Summary: Significant efforts have been made to understand how mental and cognitive processes are supported by neural mechanisms in the brain. This paper suggests a promising approach to understand human cognition by considering how neurons work together with other types of cells, such as immune cells, for self-organization and adaptive behavior. The focus is on immune cellular processing as a complement to neuronal processing, challenging the idea that neurons are the exclusive cells responsible for learning and cognition. Ultimately, the paper argues that cognition should not be limited to the neural system in the brain, but should be seen as a multiscale web of dynamic information processing distributed across various cellular and network systems throughout the body.
FRONTIERS IN INTEGRATIVE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Santosh Manicka, Kathleen Johnson, Michael Levin, David Murrugarra
Summary: The extent of nonlinearity in the regulation of biological systems affects their susceptibility to therapy and control. Analysis of 137 published Boolean network models revealed that biological regulation tends to be less nonlinear than expected on average, but cancer and disease networks can exhibit higher levels of nonlinearity and variability. This variation is attributed to differences in the distribution of information among different orders of regulatory nonlinearity.
NPJ SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Joshua Bongard, Michael Levin
Summary: The applicability of computational models to the biological world is being debated, with the suggestion to adopt an observer-dependent view rather than strict boundaries between categories. Living systems are polycomputing, simultaneously performing multiple functions in the same place, which challenges prediction and control. Understanding and harnessing polycomputing can have significant impacts on fields like regenerative medicine, robotics, and computer engineering.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Chris Fields, Filippo Fabrocini, Karl Friston, James F. Glazebrook, Hananel Hazan, Michael Levin, Antonino Marciano
Summary: Living systems are confronted with environmental complexity and limited access to free-energy resources. To survive under these circumstances, a control system is necessary to activate and deploy perception and action resources in a context specific way. This article introduces the free-energy principle (FEP), active inference, and discusses how control problems arise in active inference systems. The authors illustrate that when systems execute active inference according to the FEP, their control flow systems can be represented as tensor networks (TNs), which can be implemented within the framework of quantum topological neural networks.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL AND MULTI-SCALE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Chris Fields, Filippo Fabrocini, Karl Friston, James F. Glazebrook, Hananel Hazan, Michael Levin, Antonino Marciano
Summary: Living systems face environmental complexity and limited access to free-energy resources, necessitating a control system that can activate perception and action resources in a context-specific way. This article introduces the free-energy principle and active inference as a solution to the control problem in active inference systems. It also reviews the classical and quantum formulations of the free-energy principle.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL AND MULTI-SCALE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Juanita Mathews, Alan (Jaelyn) Chang, Liam Devlin, Michael Levin
Summary: Many aspects of health and disease are modeled using protein pathways, which exhibit interesting capabilities such as trainability and context-sensitive information processing. Understanding the functionality and tractability of pathways beyond the mechanistic details of proteins and drugs is crucial for addressing health and disease. Exploiting tools and concepts from cognitive sciences may provide a new roadmap for overcoming the limitations of current pharmacological strategies and inferring future therapeutic interventions.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mustafa B. A. Djamgoz, Michael Levin
Article
Biology
Chris Fields, Michael Levin
Summary: Using the Free Energy Principle, we demonstrate that bidirectional information exchange between a system and its environment can generate complexity, resulting in the emergence of hierarchical computational architectures in systems operating away from thermal equilibrium. In this context, the environment enhances its ability to predict system behavior by increasing the morphological complexity of the system, leading to larger-scale, more macroscopic behaviors. Therefore, we propose that life is thermodynamically favorable, and when creating artificial living systems, human engineers act as generic environments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sofia Masuelli, Sebastian Real, Patrick McMillen, Madeleine Oudin, Michael Levin, Maria Roque
Summary: Breast cancer is a complex disease with diverse subtypes and clinical outcomes. The study found differential methylation profiles and membrane potentials between left- and right-sided breast tumors. This study aimed to identify the ion channels responsible for this phenomenon and determine associated phenotypic features. The results showed that left-sided tumors had a more depolarized state and identified a signature of 6 ion channel genes associated with the side. This study provides new insights into breast cancer biology and highlights the need for further investigation into potential differential treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
Richard Gawne, Michael Levin
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2023)