Cell signalling

Cells are communicating using many different types of messenger molecules or ions. Many of these, such as neurotransmitters and Ca²⁺, are charged and very important messengers in the signalling system. Since the electrophoretic driven ion pump can transport ions or charged molecules it is possible to use the ion pump in cell signalling studies. The ion pump is an excellent transducer for transferring electrical signals into ionic signals and therefore has the possibility to count the number of molecules or ions that have been delivered to the cells. The application areas where ion pumps have been used are in cell signalling studies, both in vitro¹ and in vivo² experiments. The first example shows that it is possible to have both spatial and temporal control of the delivery and the second example shows that the ion pump can deliver charged molecules to the round window membrane of the cochlea in a guinea pig.

¹ Tybrandt et.al. Translating Electronic Currents to Precise Acetylcholine–Induced Neuronal Signaling Using an Organic Electrophoretic Delivery Device. Adv. Mater. 2009, 21, 4442–4446

² Simon et. al. Organic electronics for precise delivery of neurotransmitters to modulate mammalian sensory function. 5 JULY 2009 | DOI: 10.1038/NMAT2494