Kaist Develops Platform For Electrically-controlled Cell Signaling

Cells usage various signaling molecules to modulate nan nervous, immune, and vascular systems. Among these, nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia (NH₃) play important roles, but their chemic instability and gaseous quality make them difficult to make aliases power externally. A KAIST investigation squad has developed a level that generates circumstantial signaling molecules in situ from a azygous precursor nether an applied electrical signal, enabling switch-like, precise spatiotemporal power of cellular responses. This attack could supply a instauration for early aesculapian technologies specified arsenic electroceuticals, electrogenetics, and personalized compartment therapies.

KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced connected August 11 that a investigation squad led by Professor Jimin Park from nan Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, successful collaboration pinch Professor Jihan Kim's group, has developed a 'Bioelectrosynthesis Platform' tin of producing either nitric oxide aliases ammonia connected request utilizing only an electrical signal. The level allows power complete nan timing, spatial range, and long of compartment responses.

Inspired by enzymes progressive successful nitrite reduction, nan researchers implemented an electrochemical strategy that selectively produces nitric oxide aliases ammonia from a azygous precursor, nitrite (NO₂⁻). By changing nan catalyst, nan squad generated ammonia aliases nitric oxide from nitrite utilizing a copper-molybdenum-sulfur catalyst (Cu2MoS4) and an iron-incorporated catalyst (FeCuMS4), respectively.

Through electrochemical measurements and machine simulations, nan squad revealed that Fe sites successful nan FeCuMoS4 catalyst hindrance nitric oxide intermediates much strongly, shifting merchandise selectivity toward nitric oxide. Under nan aforesaid electrical conditions, nan Fe-containing catalyst preferentially produces nitric oxide, whereas nan Cu2MoS4 catalyst favors ammonia production.

The investigation squad demonstrated biologic functionality by utilizing nan level to activate ion channels successful quality cells. Specifically, electrochemically produced nitric oxide activated TRPV1 channels (responsive to power and chemic stimuli), while electrochemically produced ammonia induced intracellular alkalinization and activated OTOP1 proton channels. By tuning nan applied voltage and electrolysis duration, nan squad modulated nan onset time, spatial extent, and termination of cellular responses, which efficaciously turned cellular signaling connected and disconnected for illustration a switch.

Professor Jimin Park said, "This activity is important because it enables precise cellular power by selectively producing signaling molecules pinch electricity. We judge it has beardown imaginable for applications successful electroceutical technologies targeting nan nervous system aliases metabolic disorders."

Myeongeun Lee and Jaewoong Lee, Ph.D. students successful nan Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering astatine KAIST, served arsenic nan co-first authors. Professor Jihan Kim is simply a co-author. The insubstantial was published online successful 'Angewandte Chemie International Edition' connected July 8, 2025 (DOI: 10.1002/ange.202508192).