Systems and methods are disclosed herein for applying near-infrared optic al energies and dosimetries to alter the bioenergetic steady-state trans-mem brane and mitochondrial potentials (.DELTA..PSI.-steady) of all irradiated c ells through an optical depolarization effect. This depolarization causes a concomitant decrease in the absolute value of the trans-membrane potentials .DELTA..PSI. of the irradiated mitochondrial and plasma membranes. Many cell ular anabolic reactions and drug-resistance mechanisms can be rendered less functional and/or mitigated by a decrease in a membrane potential .DELTA..PS I., the affiliated weakening of the proton motive force .DELTA.p, and the as sociated lowered phosphorylation potential .DELTA.Gp. Within the area of irr adiation exposure, the decrease in membrane potentials .DELTA..PSI. will occ ur in bacterial, fungal and mammalian cells in unison. This membrane depolar ization provides the ability to potentiate antimicrobial, antifungal and/or antineoplastic drugs against only targeted undesirable cells.
NEAR-INFRARED ELECTROMAGNETIC MODIFICATION OF CELLULAR STEADY-STATE MEMBRANE POTENTIALS