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Skin cells emit slow electric pulses after injury

The electrical waves may help injured cells’ neighbors prepare to heal wounds

Dark pink skin cells that look like layers of rose petals are shown in a scanning electron micrograph at the site of a wound. Skin and other epithelial cells may send out pulses of electricity when wounded.

Wounded skin cells, like the keratinocytes shown in this colored scanning electron micrograph, send out bursts of electricity, a new study finds. The signal may act as a beacon calling neighboring cells to heal the injury.

Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Getty Images

By Tina Hesman Saey

Wounded skin cells scream with slow-motion electric pulses.