Observation of magnetic field-induced contraction of fission yeast cells using optical projection microscopy

The charges in live cells interact with or produce electric fields, which results in enormous dielectric responses, flexoelectricity, and related phenomena. Here we report on a contraction of \textbf{\textit{Schizosaccharomyces pombe}} \textbf{(fission yeast)} cells induced by \textbf{\textit{magnetic}} \textbf{fields}, as observed using a phase-sensitive projection imaging technique. Unlike electric fields, magnetic fields only act on moving charges. The observed behavior is therefore quite remarkable, and may result from a contractile Lorentz force acting on diamagnetic screening currents. This would indicate extremely high intracellular charge mobilities. Besides, we observed a large electro-optic response from fission yeast cells.