Cell signaling pathway activation by local AC electric field

A method for activating a cell signaling pathway of interest in a cell, comprising:

• applying a time-modulated alternating current electrical field to the cell without occurrence of Faradaic processes, wherein the amplitude and frequency of the time-modulated alternating current electrical field are selected to activate the cell signaling pathway of interest, thereby activating the cell signaling pathway;
• and
• selecting a shape and/or timing of the time-modulated alternating current electrical field to activate the cell signaling pathway of interest in a selected population of cells,
• wherein the cell signaling pathway of interest comprises an ERK signaling pathway, and the time-modulated alternating current electrical field is applied by a pair of electrodes such that the ERK signaling pathway is activated in more than 80% of cells within a range of 50 μm from the pair of electrodes, and in less than 20% of cells within a range o f greater than 100 μm from the pair of electrodes.