# Wireless Bioelectronic Modulation of Membrane Potential in Glioblastoma Using Carbon Nanotube Porins

## TL;DR

This paper explores using carbon nanotube porins and applied voltages to alter the membrane potential of glioblastoma cells, potentially offering a new cancer treatment strategy.

## Contribution

The novel use of wireless carbon nanotube porins to modulate membrane potential in glioblastoma cells is introduced.

## Key findings

- CNTPs combined with external voltages alter membrane potential in glioblastoma cells.
- Invasive cancers show greater responsiveness to Vmem changes compared to less invasive cancers.
- Cell cycle changes occur approximately 48 hours after treatment in glioblastoma cell lines.

## Abstract

Disruption of membrane potential (Vmem) can activate pathways associated with cancer proliferation. Manipulating ion channels may therefore present an effective strategy for treating cancers that fail to respond to conventional therapies. One approach to target these channels is to manipulate the membrane charge, which involves the use of wireless bipolar electrodes such as carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs) inserted into cell membranes to modulate membrane charge and ionic flux. By utilizing membrane dyes, we observed alterations in Vmem induced by CNTPs and externally applied voltages. Analyses of cellular behaviors and processes indicated that Vmem is more receptive to stimuli in invasive cancers, while it leads to increased metabolism in less invasive cancers, with notable changes in the cell cycle occurring at approximately 48 h post‐treatment in Glioblastoma (GB) cell lines. This work shows that CNTPs, in combination and with externally applied voltages, can modulate Vmem and alter cancer cell processes, supporting their potential as a therapeutic.

A schematic illustrating glioblastoma cell membrane modulation using carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs) and an applied voltage. CNTPs enable ion flux leading to changes in membrane potential. This figure summarizes the concept of bioelectronic control of cell membrane voltage.