Current techniques for remote gene regulation often struggle with depth penetration or unintended side effects. Existing light-based methods fail to reach deep tissues, while chemical triggers frequently introduce toxicity. To bypass these hurdles, Professor Jongpil Kim and doctoral student Yerim Hwang utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to isolate the Lgr4 gene, which shows exclusive upregulation when exposed to a 60-hertz electromagnetic field.
Dongguk University Team Develops Electromagnetic Gene Switch
Researchers at Dongguk University have engineered an electromagnetic field-inducible gene switch, offering a non-invasive method for the precise, reversible control of gene expression. By utilizing a specific Lgr4 promoter responsive to 2.0 millitesla fields, the team achieved localized activation in transgenic mice without the adverse effects associated with drug-based therapies.
Following the identification of this genetic marker, the team constructed an inducible system linked to a green fluorescent protein reporter. In trials involving transgenic mice, the system demonstrated high sensitivity: researchers triggered expression throughout the body or targeted specific organs using localized field exposure. Most significantly, the process proved entirely reversible, with gene activity returning to baseline levels within 24 hours of stimulation removal. This discovery, published in the journal Cell, provides a robust platform for future applications in regenerative medicine and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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