Scientists have proposed a theoretical model explaining how living cells could produce their own electrical signals through tiny movements in their membranes. This mechanism, driven by active molecular processes, might mimic neuronal activity and influence ion transport. The findings could inform bio-inspired materials and deepen understanding of cellular functions.
Researchers led by Pradeep Sharma have developed a mathematical framework suggesting that the cell membrane's constant microscopic movements generate electrical effects. The cell membrane, a thin and flexible barrier surrounding every living cell, dynamically reshapes itself as proteins inside the cell change shape, interact with molecules, and perform reactions like ATP hydrolysis to release energy. These activities cause the membrane to bend, ripple, and fluctuate, triggering flexoelectricity—a phenomenon where material deformation produces voltage.
The model predicts that these motions create electrical differences across the membrane, reaching up to 90 millivolts—levels comparable to those in firing neurons. Voltage shifts occur within milliseconds, aligning with the timing and shape of neuronal action potentials. This implies that such physical principles might contribute to nerve cell communication.
Furthermore, the framework indicates that these voltages could drive ion movement against natural electrochemical gradients. Ions, which are charged atoms essential for signaling and cellular balance, might be actively transported based on the membrane's stretchiness and its response to electric fields. The direction and charge of ion flow depend on these properties.
Extending the idea, the researchers suggest applying the model to tissues, where coordinated membrane activity could produce larger electrical patterns. This mechanism provides a physical basis for sensory perception, neuronal firing, and internal energy harvesting in cells. It also holds potential for bridging neuroscience with the design of bio-inspired, electrically responsive materials that mimic living tissues.
The study appears in PNAS Nexus, volume 4, issue 12, published in December 2025.
