Effects of electromagnetic fields on microtubule dynamics

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death around the globe. Existing drugs and treatments have made substantial progress and improved patients’ life expectancy; nevertheless, it is impossible to overlook that they yield serious adverse effects. A novel strategy is required to overcome these flaws, and electromagnetic fields have appeared to be a promising candidate. In recent years, their exploitation has taken hold more and more, with the benefits of fewer side effects, higher efficiency, a wide range of uses at lower costs. Here we investigate the application of two kinds of electromagnetic fields: terahertz radiation and near-infrared excitation. In particular, we examined the effect that these types of emissions have on microtubules, critical cytoskeletal structures that regulate a wide range of biological functions as cell division, shaping, motility and intracellular transport. Selective stabilization of microtubules that come into contact with chromosomes during mitosis is hypothesized to aid in the formation of the mitotic spindle, which is pivotal in cell division. Proliferation is one of the characteristic hallmarks of cancer cells which makes this disease so difficult to control. Acting on microtubule dynamics could be the key to preventing cancer cells from spreading uncontrollably. We used Raman spectroscopy analysis and turbidity measurements as effective methodologies to keep track of tubulin changes after the exposition, enabling us to witness the effect of electromagnetic fields on microtubule dynamics.