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Regular version of the site

Galit Pelled

Ph.D.
Professor
Director of Neroengineering division
Institute of Quantitative Health Science and Engineering
Department of Biomedical engineering, Radiology and Neuroscience
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Aquatic inspired neuromodulation

Lecture Abstract:

"Major advances in molecular and synthetic biology have revolutionized the capability to control cell excitability in living organisms. Yet, the majority of the technologies available today that manipulate cellular function in a cell- and spatio-temporal-specific manner demand the use of optics, drugs, radio-wave heating or ultrasound. The quest to identify genes responsible for controlling cellular function by electromagnetic fields (EMF) that penetrate deep tissue non-invasively is only in its infancy. To embark upon this challenge, we investigated the potential of an alternative and novel method to remotely control cellular function through the transmission of non-invasive, electromagnetic fields. While it is known that various aquatic species use electromagnetic fields for orientation and navigation, the cellular mechanism by which this is accomplished remains unknown. One of these species is the Kryptopterus bicirrhis (glass catfish). Using expression cloning in Xenopus laevis oocytes, we have identified a single gene from the K. bicirrhis that, once expressed in the oocytes, produces changes in the oocyte’s membrane current when wirelessly activated. Using bioinformatics approaches, we found that this gene is a putative membrane associated protein, and has never been characterized before in any other organism. We term this gene the electromagnetic perceptive gene (EPG). We have expressed the EPG in mammalian cells, neuronal cultures and in the rat brain. Our data demonstrates that wireless activation of the EPG in neuronal culture results in significant changes in neuronal excitability. Moreover, the data shows that EPG can be expressed in a specific cellular population and in a specific location in the rodent brain. We anticipate that this discovery has the potential to transform the neuroscience field, by providing a tool that offers non-invasive, cellular-specific, temporal-specific and region-specific stimulation."