Our long term mission is to explore novel paths to future electrodynamic and electronic therapeutic and diagnostic methods in biotechnology and medicine. To achieve our mission we develop computational methods and nanotechnology enabled experimental tools to analyze both active and passive electromagnetic properties of biomaterials from the level of molecules to tissues.
Specifically, we analyze electromagnetic properties of biological, protein nanostructures with the focus on cellular fibers – microtubules. Furthermore, we focus on endogenous radiofrequency and optical electromagnetic biosignals. Our activities cover experimental and theoretical work, together with a development of experimental equipment. Using nanotechnology fabrication methods we develop micro/nanosensors used with our ultra-sensitive systems for the detection of electromagnetic molecular and cellular signals. Experimental work is carried out hand in hand with the modeling of electrodynamic processes at a cellular, primarily supra-molecular, level.
The vast majority of proteins bind an electrical charge in their structure which is necessary for their proper functioning. Mechanical vibrations of proteins and structures therefore form an oscillating electric field in their close vicinity. Our team develops methods for measuring very weak fields and examines their role in biological processes. The team uses microtubules, polymer fibers from cell scaffolds, whose vibrations occur within radio frequency waves, as a model structure. Knowledge of these fundamental biophysical phenomena is important for assessing the effects of electromagnetic fields, such as those of mobile phones, on living organisms. The results of our research can be applied in medicine. For more information, please see our articles (which are in English):
Optical ultra-weak photon emission (autoluminiscence) is a universal phenomenon in metabolically active biological systems. Unlike specialized bioluminescence, which serves for communication purposes and is based on the activity of specific enzymes, autoluminiscence is probably a side effect to cellular respiration and it is related to the reactions of free radicals and reactive oxygen forms. Its biological significance hasn't been sufficiently described yet.
Emission intensity is several orders of magnitude weaker than bioluminescence. Sensitive photomultipliers and light-tight chambers are used for the detection of bioluminiscence. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms by which this emission in controlled and by which it may be affected. Because autoluminiscence carries information about the metabolic processes in cells, we examine its relationship to the results of biochemical analysis of cellular processes. Together with the development of robust methods of its measurement, we also examine the possibilities of using this issue in medical diagnostics and other biochemical measurements, e.g. in the food industry. For more information, please see our articles (which are in English):
The existence of electromagnetic activity of living cells within the radio-frequency and the microwave range still remains (after several decades) an open question. It is therefore linked to a certain degree of controversy. Our team follows a long tradition of developing sensors for the detection of electromagnetic biosignals as using the latest technology. We are looking for the ultimate answer to the question of whether cells are electromagnetically active in the fields of radio waves. Then, on the theoretical level, we examine the role of this hypothetical activity in cell physiology. For more information, please see our articles (which are in English):
Watch the presentation "Light of living organisms" by Michal Cifra, Ph.D. - The presentation is in Slovak but it is possible to set English subtitles:
