Researchers from the U.S. and Australia have found a novel method of altering the DNA of bacterial cells, the same process used in manufacturing important medicines like insulin. The study "Genetic Transformation of Plasmid DNA into Escherichia coli Using High Frequency Electromagnetic Energy" is led by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in collaboration with other Australian universities and WaveCyte Biotechnologies in the U.S.
Tuning Up Bacterial Cells
Traditionally, the cell walls of bacteria are opened with high temperatures or harsh chemicals to insert DNA. In the new technique, the research team used high-frequency radio waves as a gentler approach to allow more cells to take on the DNA and survive.
The scientists, led by Elena P. Ivanova, used radio waves at the 18 gigahertz frequency to temporarily 'open the gates' in the cell walls of E. coli bacteria long enough for DNA to be inserted. After adding the genetic material, the cells closed and continued their normal function.
An earlier study by the Australian Center for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research demonstrated that high-frequency electromagnetic energy can temporarily make bacterial cells more permeable. In the latest investigation, the experts further showed how this method can safely deliver DNA.
The result of the study reveals that the process is highly efficient, with 91% of the E. coli cells taking on the new DNA after being exposed to 18GHz radio waves for three minutes. When researchers used the current industry standard for DNA insertion, known as heat shock, only 77% of the bacterial cells take on the DNA. Many of them died soon after getting exposed to heat. Although gentler laser pulse techniques exist, less than 30% of the bacterial cells take on the new DNA.
The researchers do not only boast that their novel method is cost-effective and highly efficient. They also claim their approach is gentler on the cells since no harsh chemicals or high temperatures are used. As a result, the survival rate of cells was higher than that of other methods.
The technique also works in eukaryotic cells, including PC 12 cell line models commonly used in neuroscience research. This holds promise for improving the accessibility and affordability of critical therapies.
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Radio Waves in Medicine
Radio waves refer to electromagnetic radiation with a much longer wavelength than visible light, ranging from a few millimeters to hundreds of kilometers. They also oscillate at frequencies between a few kilohertz and a few terahertz.
Heinrich Hertz discovered the existence of radio waves in the late 1880s. Since then, they have been extensively used by humans for communications. Today, different frequencies of radio waves are used for FM and AM radio broadcasting, military communications, mobile phones, wireless computer networks, and numerous other applications.
Radio waves are also being harnessed for their potential in treating several types of cancer and other health conditions. Experts can kill cancer cells by sending radio waves through needles inserted into tumors. Radio waves are also used in magnetic resonance imaging to produce detailed images of areas inside the body.
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