The Importance of Subcellular Structures to the Modeling of Biological Cells in the Context of Computational Bioelectromagnetics Simulations

2023 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 560

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023

Study typeengineering

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

The Importance of Subcellular Structures to the Modeling of Biological Cells in the Context of Computational Bioelectromagnetics Simulations Jerbic K, Svejda JT, Sievert B, Rennings A, Fröhlich J, Erni D. The Importance of Subcellular Structures to the Modeling of Biological Cells in the Context of Computational Bioelectromagnetics Simulations. Bioelectromagnetics. 2023;10.1002/bem.22436. doi:10.1002/bem.22436 Abstract Numerical investigation of the interaction of electromagnetic fields with eukaryotic cells requires specifically adapted computer models. Virtual microdosimetry, used to investigate exposure, requires volumetric cell models, which are numerically challenging. For this reason, a method is presented here to determine the current and volumetric loss densities occurring in single cells and their distinct compartments in a spatially accurate manner as a first step toward multicellular models within the microstructure of tissue layers. To achieve this, 3D models of the electromagnetic exposure of generic eukaryotic cells of different shape (i.e. spherical and ellipsoidal) and internal complexity (i.e. different organelles) are performed in a virtual, finite element method- based capacitor experiment in the frequency range from 10 Hz to 100 GHz. In this context, the spectral response of the current and loss distribution within the cell compartments is investigated and any effects that occur are attributed either to the dispersive material properties of these compartments or to the geometric characteristics of the cell model investigated in each case. In these investigations, the cell is represented as an anisotropic body with an internal distributed membrane system of low conductivity that mimics the endoplasmic reticulum in a simplified manner. This will be used to determine which details of the cell interior need to be modeled, how the electric field and the current density will be distributed in this region, and where the electromagnetic energy is absorbed in the microstructure regarding electromagnetic microdosimetry. Results show that for 5 G frequencies, membranes make a significant contribution to the absorption losses. Open access paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeengineering

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF to RF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Finite element simulations of generic eukaryotic cells (spherical/ellipsoidal; varying organelle complexity) were performed from 10 Hz to 100 GHz to assess current and volumetric loss densities in cell compartments. The spectral response of current and loss distributions was attributed to dispersive material properties and/or geometric characteristics of the modeled compartments. The authors report that at 5G frequencies, membranes make a significant contribution to absorption losses.

Outcomes measured

current density distribution
volumetric loss density distribution
absorption losses in cell compartments (microdosimetry)

Limitations

Numerical/computational study using generic eukaryotic cell models rather than empirical biological measurements
Exposure scenario described as a virtual capacitor experiment; real-world exposure conditions not described in the abstract
No quantitative dosimetry metrics (e.g., SAR values) reported in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF to RF",
    "source": "computational modeling (finite element method-based capacitor experiment)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "current density distribution",
    "volumetric loss density distribution",
    "absorption losses in cell compartments (microdosimetry)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Finite element simulations of generic eukaryotic cells (spherical/ellipsoidal; varying organelle complexity) were performed from 10 Hz to 100 GHz to assess current and volumetric loss densities in cell compartments. The spectral response of current and loss distributions was attributed to dispersive material properties and/or geometric characteristics of the modeled compartments. The authors report that at 5G frequencies, membranes make a significant contribution to absorption losses.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Numerical/computational study using generic eukaryotic cell models rather than empirical biological measurements",
    "Exposure scenario described as a virtual capacitor experiment; real-world exposure conditions not described in the abstract",
    "No quantitative dosimetry metrics (e.g., SAR values) reported in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "computational bioelectromagnetics",
    "finite element method",
    "virtual microdosimetry",
    "eukaryotic cell model",
    "organelles",
    "endoplasmic reticulum",
    "anisotropic body",
    "membranes",
    "current density",
    "volumetric loss density",
    "10 Hz to 100 GHz",
    "5G frequencies"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.32,
      "reason": "Mentions results at '5G frequencies' regarding membrane contribution to absorption losses (modeling context)."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/bem.22436
PubMed: Not supplied

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