Fields of the Cell
International Conference on Basic Research and Theory on Cell Electromagnetic Fields and their Contribution to Life Processes


The Significance of the Fields of the Cell

The cell is not only a complex ensemble of molecules; it is also a location full of electrostatic and – dynamic fields. The former are known from membrane potential. But there are more fields, e.g., between the mitochondrial inter-membrane space and the cytoplasm. These fields can lead to oscillations in dipolar molecules of the membrane (lipids) or the cytoskeleton (tubulin), both resulting in electro-dynamic fields. Furthermore, ROS- (and RNS-) induced radical reactions are major sources for photon emissions from cells. It was shown that the latter could have important signal functions leading to regulatory processes in cell growth. In addition, regeneration is organized with ion-based fields further supporting that cells are not only locations of fields but also sensitive to them.

Even though cell radiation was discovered almost 100 years ago, that research field became marginalized while focusing on molecules and their functions. But molecules and electro-dynamic fields are two sides of the same coin: the cell.

Over the last decade, serious attempts have been undertaken to dig again into the fields of the cell and the results are promising. On the one hand, they could confirm old findings but added additional properties, e.g., of cell communication. On the other hand, we have today many more tools to investigate the minute world of the cell. This overlap of past and present is where the project Fields of the Cell comes into play. We want to show what we can say confidently about the Fields and their properties and we want to stimulate the shared research effort that has to be undertaken if we want to bring that field to a standard equalling the one molecular biology has gratefully achieved.