A team of Melbourne researchers has uncovered how subtle electrical signals can direct stem cell behaviour, an advance that could reshape the future of tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and the development of lab-grown organs.
Led by Dr Amy Gelmi, Senior Lecturer at RMIT University’s School of Science and a researcher with the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, the study used cutting-edge atomic force microscopy to watch stem cells respond to electrical stimulation in real time. The findings show that stem cells begin to physically reshape themselves within minutes when exposed to tiny electrical pulses, triggering internal changes that help determine the type of cell they eventually become.
“Stem cells are part of us all – even as adults – in our bone and in our fat tissue,” Dr Gelmi said. “These tiny cells are our own little healing super-power, able to form many different parts of our body – if only we can figure out how to tell them to change.”
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For decades, researchers have relied chiefly on chemical cues, like feeding cells specific solutions, to coax stem cells into forming bone, muscle, or nerve tissue. Chemical methods have limits, often failing to mirror the body’s natural environment. The RMIT team is instead exploring how physical and electrical cues can provide a more precise and biologically authentic way to guide stem-cell development.
Co-researcher Dr Peter Sherrell said the work reveals that stem cells don’t merely respond to chemical signals. “By controlling those signals precisely, we can start to guide how the cells behave and what they might turn into, whether that’s bone, nerve or muscle tissue,” he said. “That’s really promising for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.”
The study shows that even subtle electrical changes can alter the stiffness and shape of a cell’s internal skeleton. The team partnered with Dr Joseph Berry from the University of Melbourne to model how cells convert these physical cues into biological responses.
“By combining the experimental data with computer modelling, we can predict how a cell will respond to different electrical patterns,” Dr Berry said. “That gives us a roadmap for designing materials or devices that talk to cells in a language they understand.”
Dr Gelmi said the work highlights a growing convergence between physics and biology. “The future of tissue repair isn’t just about chemistry – it’s about designing materials that can sense, communicate and adapt.”
The researchers are now seeking industry partners to translate the breakthrough into clinical and commercial applications. Potential uses include smart implants equipped with micro-electrodes to stimulate bone or nerve regrowth, electrically controlled bioreactors that prepare stem cells for transplantation, and adaptive biomaterials that respond dynamically as the body heals
"Our improved understanding of how electrical cues drive cell behaviour gives us a foundation to engineer responsive materials,” Dr Gelmi said. “With the right industry partnerships, that could transform how we approach wound healing, implant integration and even organ regeneration.”