Electrotaxis and actin wave dynamics across cell types*

Electric fields are instrumental in various life processes including wound healing, embryonic development and cancer metastasis via directing cell migration. Few studies have focused on intracellular dynamics of cells in electric fields to better characterize electrotactic responses or determined how electric fields affect cells in a dynamic manner. Here, we investigate actin steady states, waves and oscillations under direct current electric stimulation to better understand electrotaxis of neutrophil-like HL60 cells and model organism Dictyostelium. Both cell types have fast dynamic actin waves that may be influenced by the electric field as well as by nano-topographical surfaces and biochemical cues. Additionally, variances in cell sizes enable us to explore actin dynamics on different scales.