Linear dielectric response of clustered living cells

TL;DR

This paper models the dielectric response of living cell clusters connected by tight junctions, revealing how geometry and electric parameters influence impedance spectra, especially at low frequencies.

Contribution

It introduces a spectral method to analyze the dielectric behavior of cell clusters, separating geometric effects from electric parameters and explaining low-frequency relaxations.

Findings

Eigenmode with second largest eigenvalue dominates as junction tightens

Low-frequency relaxation explained by eigenmode behavior

Geometry significantly influences dielectric response

Abstract

The dielectric behavior of a linear cluster of two or more living cells connected by tight junctions is analyzed using a spectral method. The polarizability of this system is obtained as an expansion over the eigenmodes of the linear response operator, showing a clear separation of geometry from electric parameters. The eigenmode with the second largest eigenvalue dominates the expansion as the junction between particles tightens, but only when the applied field is aligned with the cluster axis. This effect explains a distinct low-frequency relaxation observed in the impedance spectrum of a suspension of linear clusters.