Retigabine tests bioelectric reprogramming control

This proposed experiment asks whether changing the electrical state of human connective-tissue cells can help them reset their identity even when their nuclei are stiff. Researchers will sort 50 clones, cells descended from one starting cell, into groups defined by soft or stiff nuclei and predicted resetting fate. They will compare retigabine with a solvent-only control, confirm the change in membrane potential, the voltage across a cell membrane, then induce three identity-resetting factors. On day 14, fluorescence sorting will count cells with NANOG-GFP, a green signal of resetting. A benefit in predicted-lock clones across both stiffness groups, with an interaction below p<0.05, would support an electrical control point. Benefit limited to soft nuclei would instead link the effect to mechanical context.