# Interrogating Biophysical Mechanisms of Magnetogenetic Cell Stimulation at Radio Frequencies

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 2020 · $479,468

## Abstract

Abstract
Magnetogenetics is a recently proposed method for stimulating cells using electromagnetic fields. In one
approach, radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields are applied to stimulate membrane channel proteins such
as TRPV1 and TRPV4 that are attached to ferritins. The concept is highly attractive as it enables wireless neural
stimulation without limitation on penetration depth or the requirement of invasive surgeries. If successful, RF-
based magnetogenetics can provide a non-invasive approach for large-scale neural stimulation that can reach
anywhere in the brain and achieve cellular specificity. This capability overcomes a significant limitation in other
techniques such as electrical stimulation and optogenetics where stimulation is spatially restricted. However,
while there have been several independent reports of experimental evidences for magnetogenetic effects using
RF waves, the physical and neurobiological underpinnings of such effects remain unclear and controversial.
Reported experiments have been conducted only in a few selected frequencies and amplitudes and the
responses were mostly measured indirectly based on downstream physiological effects. The objective of the
proposed project is to systematically characterize, model and validate the neurobiological and cellular responses
upon RF stimulation in neurons expressing ferritin-attached TRPV1 and TRPV4 channels. Specifically, we aim
to characterize these magnetogenetic channels of their: 1) neuronal responses to electrical and chemical stimuli
and to RF stimulation over a wide range of frequencies and amplitudes; 2) temperature responses to RF
stimulation at the protein, cytoplasmic membrane and cellular level; 3) cellular metabolic processes upon RF
stimulation. We will systematically evaluate two novel working hypotheses of the underlying mechanisms. If
successful, the project will characterize the cellular responses to RF stimulation, quantify activation thresholds
and safety limits, establish standard protocols and elucidate the biophysical underpinnings of this reported RF-
based magnetogenetic phenomenon. It would resolve a fundamental challenge in advancing this technology and
guide a more rationale design and improvement of the techniques. Understanding the mechanisms of the initial
reports of magnetogenetics would be a significant addition to the present ensemble of neuro-stimulation
technologies such as electrical stimulation and optogenetics and contribute to one central goal of the BRAIN
Initiative that is to develop new and improved perturbation technologies suitable for controlling specified cell
types and circuits to modulate function in the central nervous system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9961692
- **Project number:** 5R01NS110554-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **Principal Investigator:** Chunlei Liu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $479,468
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9961692

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9961692, Interrogating Biophysical Mechanisms of Magnetogenetic Cell Stimulation at Radio Frequencies (5R01NS110554-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9961692. Licensed CC0.

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