K Bradonjić et al 2009 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 161 012035 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/161/1/012035
The Casimir Effect in Biology: The Role of Molecular Quantum Electrodynamics in Linear Aggregations of Red Blood Cells
K Bradonjić1, J D Swain2,3, A Widom2 and Y N Srivastava2,4
Show affiliationsDespite the fact that red blood cells carry negative charges, under certain conditions they form cylindrical stacks, or "rouleaux". It is shown here that a form of the Casimir effect, generalizing the more well-known van der Waals forces, can provide the necessary attractive force to balance the electrostatic repulsion. Erythrocytes in plasma are modelled as negatively charged dielectric disks in an ionic solution, allowing predictions to be made about the conditions under which rouleaux will form. The results show qualitative agreement with observations which suggest that the basic idea is worth further pursuit. In addition to revealing a mechanism which may be widespread in biology at the cellular level, it also suggest new experiments and further applications to other biological systems, colloid chemistry and nanotechnology.
- PACS
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87.15.N- Properties of solutions of macromolecules
- Subjects
- Dates
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Issue 1 (2009)
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The Casimir Effect in Biology: The Role of Molecular Quantum Electrodynamics in Linear Aggregations of Red Blood Cells
K Bradonjić et al 2009 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 161 012035
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O Runevall and N Sandberg 2009 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 21 335401
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Generation of metal-oxide nanoparticles using continuous-wave fibre laser ablation in liquid
Z Liu et al 2009 J. Micromech. Microeng. 19 054008
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Trilisa M Perrine and Barry D Dunietz 2007 Nanotechnology 18 424003
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