January 31, 2026
Shock the vote
Cells use 'bioelectricity' to coordinate and make group decisions
Internet argues over 'bioelectricity' as cells kick out bad neighbors
TLDR: New research says epithelial cells use tiny electrical signals to spot and eject weak neighbors, a process that keeps tissues healthy. Commenters clash over calling it “bioelectricity,” trade jokes about fault-tolerant skin, and debate Wi‑Fi fears, while some point to wound‑healing tech as real‑world proof
Scientists say your skin runs a quiet electric committee that votes out underperforming cells—and the comments went wild. A new Nature study claims growing tissues use tiny currents to spot weak neighbors: when a cell can’t keep up, it loses water, shrivels, and gets pushed out. That ruthless-but-life-saving move, called extrusion, keeps tissues healthy and may help prevent diseases like cancer. Enthusiasts cheered—one fan citing bioelectricity pioneer Michael Levin—arguing electric chatter isn’t just for brains. The researchers stress it’s ions (charged particles) moving across cell walls, not wall-socket electrons, and your body is buzzing, constantly.
The drama? Semantics. “Call it electricity,” snapped the minimalists, while others loved the term “bioelectricity” for the nuance. Techies joked about “Byzantine fault tolerance”—as if your skin runs a crypto protocol. One commenter wondered if this explains fears about non-ionizing radiation; skeptics shot back: cell signals ≠ Wi‑Fi panic. Meanwhile, a pragmatist dropped a link to zapping wounds to heal faster (study) and the thread lit up with Frankenstein memes: if a spark can wake monster legs, maybe a whisper of charge can keep your skin’s HOA in line. Bottom line: science says our tissues run on tiny shocks—and the internet can’t decide whether to be thrilled or pedantic
Key Points
- •Nature-published research shows epithelial tissues use bioelectric signals to coordinate cell extrusion, removing weak or unhealthy cells.
- •As tissues become crowded, electrical current across cell membranes increases; cells that cannot compensate lose water, shrink, and are marked for removal.
- •Extrusion maintains epithelial health; when it fails, it can contribute to diseases such as cancer and asthma.
- •Experts emphasize that bioelectric signaling is widespread beyond the nervous system, including in biofilms and embryonic development.
- •Cells maintain membrane potentials using ions, storing energy that underlies bioelectric signaling, distinct from electron-based household electricity.