POSSIBILITIES AND PROBLEMS OF LOW-FREQUENCY WEAK ELECTROMAGNETIC-FIELDS IN CELL BIOLOGY

In addition to its well-known applications in electroporation of cell membranes, the use of electrostimulation of cellular metabolisms by weak electromagnetic or electric fields as a new tool for the non-invasive penetration of living systems in order to receive new signals from disturbed processes is one of the most interesting topics in bioelectrochemistry. Examples of processes investigated include proliferation, enzyme reactions, biopolymer syntheses and membrane transport. Their responses to direct, capacitive or inductive coupling for stimulation or inhibition occur in regions of positive or negative ''electric windows'' for frequency, absorbed energy or treatment time, which is illustrated using characteristic examples selected from the literature and from our own results. Of considerable interest is the possibility to electrostimulate reactions - e.g. the phosphorylation of the myosin light chain - in a cell-free system. In this system there is no membrane receiver for electromagnetic energy transformation and hence only a few models - e.g. free radical disturbance can explain these important results. Literature data obtained at extremely low fields near the thermal noise region sometimes show discrepancies which must be clarified by careful observation of defined physical and biological parameters, e.g. the disturbance by non-coherent electrical noise. Special medical and industrial applications can be developed. This introductory review presents several hints and suggestions for further investigations including environmental ''electrosmog''.