Michael Levin & Richard Nuccitelli | History of Bioelectricity & Solving Cancer

This is the first of several interviews Michael Levin and I will do with significant people in the history of developmental bioelectricity. Richard Nuccitelli is a legend, having invented (with Lionel Jaffe, in 1974) the Vibrating Probe - a technique that allowed the non-invasive sensing of ion currents around living tissues. This is about a ~1 hour conversation in which he talks about his background, the history of the field, and his current clinical work on the bioelectrics of cancer.
Episode Show Notes: livelongerworld.com/p/rnuccit...
Find me: / aasthajs
BACKGROUND:
In 2022, I interviewed Dr. Michael Levin on his work on bioelectricity in cells and how that has the potential to solve cancer and aging. Since then, Mike has also appeared on Lex Fridman and many other podcasts talking about his revolutionary work.
Amongst all the podcasts I did, Mike’s work struck me as profound yet underappreciated. The field of biology has focused on the DNA and the relevance of the electric currents in our cells is not appreciated. Yes, the electrical energy powering our cells is what keeps us alive!
Earlier this year, I decided to dive deeper into bioelectricity. I’m starting by exploring the history of the field in conjunction with Michael Levin. We’re doing a series of interviews talking to scientists in the field to understand the origins of the field, bottlenecks, progress so far, and what the future could look like.
Today's interview is the first in the series with Dr. Richard Nuccitelli.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro to History of Bioelectricity Series
1:09 How Rich got interested in bioelectricity
4:34 Bioelectrics didn't make it to biology literature
7:55 Vibrating probe use cases
10:20 Bioelectrics in 1970s
13:37 Why is bioelectrics underrated?
22:50 Progression of bioelectrics
29:02 Ultra high voltage in treating cancer
39:00 Understanding significance of bioelectrics from 1900s
44:40 Working with Lionel Jaffe
50:27 How Mike entered bioelectrics
54:02 Criticism received by bioelectrics?
57:04 Missing technology to advance bioelectrics
1:00:52 Electrical patterns in cells with age
1:03:12 Mapping bioelectrics as the goal
AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:
Twitter: / aasthajs
Newsletter: livelongerworld.com/
Instagram: / aasthajs
Airchat: www.getairchat.com/aasthajs
Michael Levin: / drmichaellevin
Richard Nuccitelli: / nuccitelli
Episode Show Notes: livelongerworld.com/p/rnuccit...
Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: • #19 - Dr. Michael Levi...

[@jmd1743]

I wonder if you can use that probe to direct white cells to target tumors by nibbling away at them the way fish nibble at your hanging skin. It would be a lot less stressful on the body than radiation.

[@-Kerstin]

A shame that Aasthas mic isn't set up correctly

[@aasthajs]

It’s been fixed for the one with Dr. Min Zhao!