Whitworth Physics Professor Developing Advanced Model to Unlock the Power of Electric Fields in Tissue Regeneration

Whitworth University has received a nearly $70,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for an innovative research project led by Assistant Professor of Engineering & Physics Jonathan Dawson, Ph.D. The project aims to advance the understanding of how electric fields influence the migration and proliferation of biological cells, knowledge that will accelerate the development of more robust and safer therapies in regenerative medicine.

Dawson’s research will focus on how electric fields influence the movement of cranial neural crest cells. These cells play a crucial role in forming the face and skull during development. Previous studies have shown that electric fields can guide cell movement and promote tissue healing, especially in bone repair. However, the exact mechanisms behind this are not well understood. Dawson hopes to fill this gap by creating a model that explains how cells respond to electric stimulation, potentially improving strategies for tissue regeneration.

“We are so thankful for this grant,” Dawson says. “This research is so exciting. By understanding how cells respond to electric fields, we are paving the way for innovative bioengineering solutions that could one day lead to more effective and personalized medical treatments.”

The research focuses on three key objectives:

• Characterizing cell motility in response to varying electric field conditions, including field strength, frequency and polarity reversal.

• Examining cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization under external electric stimulation to understand how cellular structures change in response to electric fields.

• Determining the impact of electric fields on cell proliferation within cell collectives, which is essential for tissue formation and repair.

By integrating experimental data with advanced computational modeling, this research will establish a framework for harnessing bioelectric cues to control cell behavior. The findings could have far-reaching applications in regenerative medicine and provide further hope for medical applications, including cancer treatment, wound healing and tissue regeneration. For instance, technologies that apply electric fields have been used to disrupt cancer cell division and promote healing in chronic wounds. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to more targeted and effective therapies with fewer side effects.

This project also provides unique research opportunities for Whitworth’s undergraduate students interested in interdisciplinary studies. Participants will receive guidance in computational modeling, biological analysis and scientific communication, equipping them for careers that combine physics, biology and medicine. 

About Whitworth University:

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

Contacts: 

Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.