April 17

2014

Biodesign Institute
727 East Tyler Street
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281

Many species of complex animals are able to regenerate entire organs. Our lab studies show that electric gradients control cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, while bioelectrical signals serve as master regulators of tissue patterning. Molecular-level changes in bioelectric state can initiate complete development of eyes, brains, hearts, limbs, and spinal cords, as well as normalize neoplastic growth. Genetics and bioelectricity thus constitute parallel but interacting layers of biological control, a discovery with sweeping implications for cancer management, regenerative medicine, synthetic biology and bioengineering.