Bioelectricity

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectric devices that use bacterial metabolic activity to convert chemical energy to electricity, which offers a potential way to green energy production. Exoelectrogenic bacteria that can transfer their metabolic electrons outside their cells are the primary contributing organisms in this process. This study aims to screen and identify exoelectrogenic bacteria for electricity generation in MFCs. Seawater samples were collected from Kuakata, Bangladesh, and a dual-chambered MFC was used to detect the presence of exoelectrogenic bacteria in the sample. The exoelectrogenic bacterium was screened and isolated from the anode biofilm of the MFC using an MnO₂-supplemented agar medium. The ability of electricity generation by the isolated bacteria was also determined in a dual-chambered MFC. Then, the isolated exoelectrogen was identified via biochemical assay and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolated exoelectrogenic bacteria generated a voltage of up to 0.341 volts, a current density of 0.044 mA/cm², and a maximum power density of 0.015 mW/cm² in the MFC. Biochemical assay and sequencing analysis reported the bacteria as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (similarity index: 99.45%), which demonstrates potential for bioelectricity and sustainable energy production, contributing to novel, eco-friendly resources for biofuel production in Bangladesh.

A widespread energy crisis is the result of the current global situation, which is characterized by high-energy needs and finite resources. Nonrenewable energy sources are fast depleting while green energy options are still being ignored. Alternative energy generation techniques are desperately needed. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) due to their favorable operating conditions and the affordability of a variety of eco-friendly fuel substrates. Bioelectricity is created by microorganisms actively breaking down substrates, providing a long-term answer to the growing energy problems. Numerous investigations have yielded fresh insights into MFCs, demonstrating that a broad range of microorganisms can be effectively employed with a broad range of carbon sources, including waste materials. Therefore, the microbial transformation of waste through advanced bioremediation processes such as MFCs, which provide a potentially attractive alternative to conventional methods utilized in wastewater treatment, enables the immediate generation of bioelectricity. This not only keeps up with the latest technological advancements but also reduces overall process expenses. The current status of MFCs, their setup and mode of operation, factors for optimizing MFCs, the range of waste kinds, and microorganisms suitable for generating bioelectricity are all objectively assessed in this review. The review comprehensively focuses on MFC’s processes as applied in bioelectricity generation and environmental sustainability.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts neurological pathways controlling movement, sensation, and autonomic processes, commonly causing long-term impairments. The restoration of damaged spinal tissue continues to pose significant therapeutic challenges. The RISEUP project explores an innovative combinatorial therapy that integrates stem cell transplantation with µsPEFs delivered by an Electro-Pulsed Bio-Hybrid (EPB) device. This in silico study faithfully reproduces the in vivo experimental setup that will be applied within the project to assess EPB functionality and stimulation effects. By positioning the EPB numerical model over the thoracic vertebral region of interest in the ViZOO Neurorat anatomical rat model, and by implementing laminectomy and SCI, a virtual replica of the in vivo experiments is proposed, aiming to inform, in a prospective way, whether electric (E-)field intensities estimated by in vitro studies and microdosimetry and shown to be suitable for electroporation could be reached in vivo, in the complex and evolving environment of the injured spinal cord. To reflect the biological evolution of SCI over the stimulation time, two lesion phases were simulated. First, acute SCI represents the immediate post-injury environment, while chronic models capture the later phase characterized by altered conductivity and structural reorganization. This dual-phase approach allows for a more accurate assessment of the experiments. Finally, dosimetric assessment was computed and evaluated in terms of induced E-field distribution, and peripheral nerves response. Peak E-fields beneath the EPB ranged from 20 to 70 kV/m, sufficient for transient membrane permeabilization and stem cell activation. Field penetration improved in chronic lesions due to increased conductivity, with deeper median fields (∼2 kV/m) compared to acute models. Neurofunctional safety was evaluated by coupling the E-field output to axonal electrophysiological models of intercostal nerves. The findings demonstrate that the EPB device can deliver effective, localized stimulation with minimal off-target neural activation. Furthermore, temporal lesion evolution influences field distribution, underscoring the importance of phase-specific assessment.

Atherosclerosis (AS) remains the primary pathological driver of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which account for ∼32% of global deaths. Early diagnosis of AS is critical for reducing mortality, but conventional diagnostic tools fail to dynamically assess oxidative stress—a key pathogenic factor in AS progression. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are abnormally elevated in early AS plaques, making them a promising biomarker for early detection. However, existing ROS-responsive probes suffer from poor targeting specificity and insufficient sensitivity. RGD-targeted ROS-responsive dual-functional molecular probes, which integrate integrin-binding specificity and ROS-triggered signal activation, have emerged as a novel solution to these limitations. This review comprehensively summarizes the design principles, synthesis strategies, and preclinical evaluation (in vitro and in vivo) of RGD-targeted ROS-responsive probes for AS imaging. We focus on probe optimization strategies, including structural modification of RGD ligands, selection of ROS-sensitive moieties, and integration of fluorophores with optimal optical properties. Additionally, we discuss the current challenges in clinical translation and future directions for improving probe performance, with a dedicated focus on the potential applications of these probes in bioelectricity research—an emerging intersection of oxidative stress and vascular physiology. A systematic analysis of PubMed-listed literature (2020–2024, 77 articles; literature screening criteria: keywords including “atherosclerosis”, “RGD”, “ROS-responsive”, “molecular probe”, “targeted imaging”; excluding reviews, case reports, and studies with incomplete data) highlights the potential of these dual-functional probes to address unmet clinical needs in early AS diagnosis and bioelectricity-related research, providing insights for researchers in the fields of molecular imaging, cardiovascular medicine, and bioelectricity.

In this work, complex and advanced multiphysics and multiscale models of a 2D virtual induced neuronal stem cell (iNSC) and a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) are presented to estimate the biophysical effects induced by microsecond-duration pulsed electric fields (µsPEFs) for neurogenesis purposes. Particularly, this study is part of the RISEUP project, which aims to promote axonal regeneration in spinal cord injuries by manipulating stem cells within an electropulsed bio-hybrid (EPB) device. This device delivers tailored µsPEF protocols to induce electropermeabilization of plasma and intracellular membranes. The two key focuses of this work are the development of a neurofunctionalized iNSC model and, for the first time in the literature, of a calcium oscillations model on the virtual MSC, to assess the impact of µsPEFs on iNSC neuronal dynamics and on changes in ionic fluxes across electroporated MSC membranes, respectively. Numerical simulations are carried out in COMSOL Multiphysics (v. 6.2) using a bipolar µsPEFs with a combination of 30 and 60 kV/m field intensities with 100 and 1000 µs durations. Results demonstrate that the µsPEF application affects iNSC neuronal firing: fully silenced at 60 kV/m, and partially suppressed at 30 kV/m, with activity resuming poststimulation at both pulse durations. Moreover, µsPEF can extend calcium oscillation periods up to 50%, highlighting their potential to modulate calcium dynamics and steer stem cell fate, supporting the core RISEUP mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation. The multiphysics methodologies implemented are crucial to deeply investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying the RISEUP approach, thereby unveiling key processes driving neural regeneration and paving the way for innovative, targeted therapies.

The plasma membrane voltage ( V m ) is well known to have significant involvement in a wide range of cellular functions including cancer progression. Voltage imaging revealed that V m of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells is “bistable” with hyperpolarizing voltage transients (HVTs). Here, we formulate a model of V m incorporating the ion channels N a v 1.5 , C a v 3.2 , and K Ca 1.1 . V m is governed by the Hodgkin–Huxley formalism coupled to intracellular C a 2 + dynamics, via C a 2 + influx through C a v 3.2 and C a 2 + -dependent efflux of K + through K Ca 1.1 . Stochastic fluctuations—arising from sparse ion channel expression and C a 2 + -induced C a 2 + release (CICR)—drive V m transitions between the otherwise stable depolarized and hyperpolarized states. The model qualitatively reproduces the key experimental observations of HVTs, and their suppression by specific inhibitors of N a v 1.5 or K Ca 1.1 . It is predicted that inhibition of CICR should also lead to suppression of HVTs. Our model promises to help the understanding of the dynamic electrical activity of the MDA-MB-231 cell model and its functional consequences, and may inspire future bioelectricity-based cancer diagnosis and therapy.