"Mind-controlled" gene expression

AI Thread Summary
Mind-controlled transgene expression is achieved through a wireless-powered optogenetic implant that interprets brain waves via an EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI). This system uses mental state-specific brain waves to program an implant containing designer cells that express the human glycoprotein SEAP when activated by near-infrared light. The optogenetic pathway involves a bacterial diguanylate cyclase that produces a second messenger, triggering gene expression through synthetic interferon-β promoters. Users can control SEAP production by altering their mental states, such as concentration or meditation. This innovative approach suggests potential advancements in gene therapy and biofeedback applications.
Pythagorean
Science Advisor
Messages
4,416
Reaction score
327
Mind-controlled transgene expression by a wireless-powered optogenetic designer cell implant.

Kind of a sensationalized title, since it's really just interpreting brain waves through a BCI, but neat anyway.

An electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain–computer interface (BCI) processing mental state-specific brain waves programs an inductively linked wireless-powered optogenetic implant containing designer cells engineered for near-infrared (NIR) light-adjustable expression of the human glycoprotein SEAP (secreted alkaline phosphatase). The synthetic optogenetic signalling pathway interfacing the BCI with target gene expression consists of an engineered NIR light-activated bacterial diguanylate cyclase (DGCL) producing the orthogonal second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), which triggers the stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent induction of synthetic interferon-β promoters. Humans generating different mental states (biofeedback control, concentration, meditation) can differentially control SEAP production of the designer cells in culture and of subcutaneous wireless-powered optogenetic implants in mice.

http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/141111/ncomms6392/full/ncomms6392.html
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Sometime soon you are what you think.
 
  • Like
Likes Pythagorean

Thread 'Australian Funnel-web spiders and delta-hexatoxin (aka Versutoxin)'

https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-deadliest-spider-in-the-world-ends-lives-in-hours-but-its-venom-may-inspire-medical-miracles-48107 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versutoxin#Mechanism_behind_Neurotoxic_Properties https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028390817301557 (subscription or purchase requred) he structure of versutoxin (δ-atracotoxin-Hv1) provides insights into the binding of site 3 neurotoxins to the voltage-gated sodium channel...
View full post »

Thread 'Here comes COVID-19 version BA.2, BA.4, BA.5,...'

Popular article referring to the BA.2 variant: Popular article: (many words, little data) https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/17/health/ba-2-covid-severity/index.html Preprint article referring to the BA.2 variant: Preprint article: (At 52 pages, too many words!) https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.14.480335v1.full.pdf [edited 1hr. after posting: Added preprint Abstract] Cheers, Tom
View full post »

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top