Bioelectricity, Its Fundamentals, Characterization Methodology, and Applications in Nano‐Bioprobing and Cancer Diagnosis

Abstract

Bioelectricity is an essential characteristic of a biological system that has played an important role in medical diagnosis particularly in cancer liquid biopsy. However, its biophysical origin and measurements have presented great challenges in experimental methodologies. For instance, in dynamic cell processes, bioelectricity cannot be accurately determined as a static electrical potential via electrophoresis. Cancer cells fundamentally differ from normal cells by having a much higher rate of glycolysis resulting in net negative charges on cell surfaces. The most recent investigations on cancer cell surface charge that is the direct bio‐electrical manifestation of the “Warburg Effect,” which can be directly monitored by specially designed nanoprobes, has been provided. The most up‐to‐date research results from charge‐mediated cell targeting are reviewed. Correlations between the cell surface charge and cancer cell metabolism are established based on cell/probe electrostatic interactions. Bioelectricity is utilized not only as an analyte for investigation of the metabolic state of the cancer cells, but also applied in electrostatically and magnetically capturing of the circulating tumor cells from whole blood. Also reviewed is on the isolation of Candida albicans via bioelectricity‐driven nanoparticle binding on fungus with surface charges.

Wireless Electrochemotherapy by Selenium-Doped Piezoelectric Biomaterials to Enhance Cancer Cell Apoptosis

“…Unlike normal cells, cancer cells have a high concentration of negative charges on the surface due to the metabolic characteristics with a high rate of glycolysis, which also make cancer cells prefer to uptake cations. 57 Because of the above reasons, the built-in electric field formed by cancer cells and materials is stronger and the interactions are closer, and the high level of Se intake also indicates the amount of ROS required to activate the apoptosis pathway. Thus, P-KNNSe achieved good biocompatibility while ensuring the enhancement of cancer cell apoptosis.…”

A Microfluidic Sensor for Continuous, in Situ Surface Charge Measurement of Single Cells

“…Cancer cells fundamentally differ from normal cells by having a much higher rate of glutamine metabolism. Most recently, studies have revealed the correlation between the cell surface charge and metabolic patterns. , In this study, we treated HeLa cells with three different concentrations of glutamine to alter their glutamine metabolism rate and assess their effects on surface charge.…”

Rapid Label-Free Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells from Patients’ Peripheral Blood Using Electrically Charged Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

“…Successful CTC isolation based on surface charge is uniquely associated with the hallmark characteristic of cancer cells, that is, high rate of glycolysis and strong secretion of lactate acid. Bioelectricity is an essential biophysical indicator of cell behaviors and directly modulated via the metabolic patterns. , It therefore provides a signal channel and a passage for cell–cell, cell–protein, and nano–bio interactions. Previous studies have shown acidic cancer microenvironment due to the “Warburg effect” − that is responsible for the cancer cells’ negative charges, associated with a hallmark characteristic of energy metabolism by cancer cells: high aerobic glycolysis rate .…”