Wireless electrical–molecular quantum signalling for cancer cell apoptosis

Jain, Akhil; Gosling, Jonathan; Liu, Shaochuang; Wang, Haowei; Stone, Eloise M; Chakraborty, Sajib; Jayaraman, Padma-Sheela; Smith, Stuart; Amabilino, David B; Fromhold, Mark; Long, Yi-Tao; Pérez-García, Lluïsa; Turyanska, Lyudmila; Rahman, Ruman; Rawson, Frankie J

Abstract

Quantum biological tunnelling for electron transfer is involved in controlling essential functions for life such as cellular respiration and homoeostasis. Understanding and controlling the quantum effects in biology has the potential to modulate biological functions. Here we merge wireless nano-electrochemical tools with cancer cells for control over electron transfer to trigger cancer cell death. Gold bipolar nanoelectrodes functionalized with redox-active cytochrome c and a redox mediator zinc porphyrin are developed as electric-field-stimulating bio-actuators, termed bio-nanoantennae. We show that a remote electrical input regulates electron transport between these redox molecules, which results in quantum biological tunnelling for electron transfer to trigger apoptosis in patient-derived cancer cells in a selective manner. Transcriptomics data show that the electric-field-induced bio-nanoantenna targets the cancer cells in a unique manner, representing electrically induced control of molecular signalling. The work shows the potential of quantum-based medical diagnostics and treatments.

Citation

Jain, A., Gosling, J., Liu, S., Wang, H., Stone, E. M., Chakraborty, S., …Rawson, F. J. (2024). Wireless electrical–molecular quantum signalling for cancer cell apoptosis. Nature Nanotechnology, 19, 106-114. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-023-01496-y

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 1, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 14, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-01
• Deposit Date: Sep 20, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 21, 2023
• Journal: Nature Nanotechnology
• Print ISSN: 1748-3387
• Electronic ISSN: 1748-3395
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Pages: 106-114
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-023-01496-y
• Keywords: Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Condensed Matter Physics; General Materials Science; Biomedical Engineering; Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics; Bioengineering
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/25365347
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-023-01496-y