Ori, HillelDuque, MarcFrank Hayward, RebeccaScheibner, ColinTian, HeOrtiz, GloriaVitelli, VincenzoCohen, Adam2023-09-082022-12-22Ori, Hillel, Marc Duque, Rebecca Frank Hayward, Colin Scheibner, He Tian, Gloria Ortiz, Vincenzo Vitelli et al. "Observation of topological action potentials in engineered tissues." Nat. Phys. No Volume. DOI: 10.1038/s41567-022-01853-z1745-24731745-2481https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37376999Due to the nonlinear current-voltage relations of ion channels, an interface between two tissues can have very different bioelectrical properties compared to either tissue on its own. Here we show experimentally that gap junction-coupled interfaces between non-excitable tissues can be electrically excitable. This topologically protected excitability occurs over a far larger range of ion channel expression levels than does excitability in the bulk. Topological excitations at tissue interfaces can cause local elevations in calcium concentration, possibly providing a bioelectrical mechanism for interface sensing. As in condensed matter physics, topological excitations in electrophysiology constitute a distinct class of phenomena which may show exotic and novel properties.en-USGeneral Physics and AstronomyJournal Article2023-09-0810.1038/s41567-022-01853-z