Michael Levin preprint: membrane voltage and connexin expression jointly drive tumor growth
drmichaellevin · x · 2026-09-05
Bioelectricity researcher Michael Levin announced a new computational-modeling preprint with Joel Grodstein on how membrane voltage and connexin expression jointly enhance tumor growth and metastasis.
- Background: most differentiated cells hold a resting membrane potential (Vmem) near -70mV, while tumor cells are typically depolarized (-30mV), resembling stem cells — believed to speed the cell cycle and aid proliferation.
- Open puzzle: upon becoming invasive, tumor cells sometimes revert to a hyperpolarized Vmem for unclear reasons, and non-invasive solid tumors strongly underexpress connexins versus healthy tissue.
- The model frames how Vmem and connexin expression work together, supporting bioelectric approaches to cancer.
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