Gilbert Ling (biophysicist)

Gilbert Ling was a biophysicist known for challenging traditional views of cell biology. He proposed that living cells function through specialized internal structures called "solid-state gel matrices," where proteins and ions are tightly associated, maintaining cell structure and activity. Instead of seeing cells as simple bags of fluid, Ling emphasized the importance of the cell’s internal organization and the role of surface charges and water in enabling proper cell function. His ideas offered an alternative perspective on how cells maintain their shape, electrical properties, and metabolic processes, highlighting the complex biophysical mechanisms underlying life at the cellular level.