Nature News reported on Friday that radio waves can activate genes in modified mice.
The study, published in Science, shows that radio waves can be used to trigger calcium flow into a cell, thus activating calcium-sensitive genes. The flow of calcium was controlled by a temperature-sensitive protein called TRPV1.
This protein functions as a gated channel; when heated to 42 °C, the otherwise closed channel opens. By injecting mice with iron-oxide-coated nanoparticles designed to seek out a modified TRPV1, the study’s authors were able to use otherwise harmless radio waves to generate the necessary local heat. The radio waves did not harm exposed cells.
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