Time-varying electric field induced transmembrane potential of a core-shell model of biological cells

A numerical method is introduced to discuss the modulus and phase of the electric field induced transmembrane potential (EFITP) of a core-shell model of biological cells as a function of surface charge density, composition, morphology, polarization, and frequency of the oscillatory electric field. For computational ease, we consider a continuum model of two space dimensions modeling field simulation that describe the continuity and conservation of electric flux corresponding to the response of infinite cylinders in three space dimensions. Most of the potential drop occurs across the membrane at frequencies below the β relaxation frequency of the cell. We also discuss the relevance of these numerical calculations to many aspects of the ubiquitously observed cellular transformation. Having constructed a family of Cassinian curves modeling the geometry of the cell model, we proceed to test the validity of this approach based on numerical calculations of the EFITP. The EFITP phase, previously not considered in the literature, reveals essential information on the morphological changes in cell transformations. In particular, the shape and charge in the proximity of the membrane are important factors for the cell response to electromagnetic radiation.