Researchers at the University of Oslo explored how sound exposure can influence the internal architecture of cells grown in a laboratory setting. The study, documented in the field of bioengineering, focuses on the cellular backbone that maintains shape and enables division.
For the experiments, scientists used the widely studied HeLa cell line, an immortal type of human cells common in laboratory work. The cells were divided into four groups to examine the effects of 15 minutes of sound. One group experienced a regular rhythm, another encountered an irregular rhythm, a third was exposed to a continuous sound, and the final group served as a control with no sound exposure.
Biologists examined microfilaments, the thin threads that form part of the cytoskeleton and help cells hold their shape and reproduce. Under exposure to sound, these filaments became more intense and shorter in length, with continuous sound producing the most pronounced changes. The researchers noted that such structural adjustments could have applications in laboratory techniques for growing insulin-producing pancreatic cells, where precise cell shape and connectivity matter for function and development.
According to the authors, stimulating cells with sound or vibration could offer an alternative to chemical triggers commonly used in cell biology. If vibration proves to be a reliable method to influence cell behavior, it might open new avenues for experimentation and optimization in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, complementing traditional chemical approaches.
The study authors also stressed that observing changes in cells after sound exposure does not imply that music is inherently beneficial or harmful. The work is presented as a foundational step, inviting further research to confirm and extend the findings across different cell types and experimental conditions.
In related areas of science, prior work with other model systems has hinted at regenerative possibilities, including research showing heart tissue regeneration in some fish models after injury. While such findings underscore the potential for regenerative mechanisms, they are not directly transferable to human biology and require careful study before translating to medical practice.