Electronics: Triggerable Molecular Devices for Detecting and Modulating Bioelectric fields
Abstract
Bioelectric fields are a ubiquitous phenomenon in biological systems. They contribute to healing, cellular control, and energy conversion. Yet, despite this broad impact, our fundamental understanding of bioelectric fields is in its infancy. In part, this is due to our inability to accurately probe the bioelectric fields in living systems. The goal of the present proposal is to develop a nanoscale molecular device that is able to simultaneously report and change the bioelectric fields, significantly advancing this complex and critically important field. Specifically, during the course of the proposed work, a novel molecular device that can both detect and modulate bioelectric fields in living cells and tissue will be synthesized. The molecular device is comprised of a pair of covalently coupled electric field responsive small molecules. One acts as an electric field detector and reporter, and the second acts as an electric field modulator. Both molecules behave independently. To demonstrate its utility, the effect of time-varying electrical defects in muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) on their interaction with neighboring cells will be studied. To accomplish these objectives, both the detector and modulator molecules will be synthesized and the molecular device will be constructed. Both of the molecular components of the device are new and represent advances in the emerging fields of small molecule photoconductors and small molecule multi-photon imaging agents. The two molecules will be synthesized using a range of organic chemistry methods and their structure and characteristics will be analyzed using spectroscopic methods. The molecular device will be constructed using click chemistry (azide-alkyne cycloaddition) and its biotoxicity will be determined using live cell assays. Finally, the dynamic bioelectric fields in cardiomyocytes will be mapped using the molecular device. Additionally, we will study the bioelectric field network by modulating the bioelectric field of a single cardiomyocyte cell. The molecular device constructed and demonstrated during the course of the present work will enable significant advances in future knowledge. It will enable researchers to simultaneously and non-invasively modify the bioelectric field and measure the impact on the biological system as well as the individual cell. This ability will transform how biologists design experimental studies in bioelectric fields and will pave the way for discovery.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1810033
Entities
People
- Andrea Armani
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Southern California