# Bioengineering a novel electromagnetic perspective gene as a tool for wireless control of excitable cells

> **NIH NIH R01** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $515,057

## Abstract

Abstract:
 The ability to manipulate neuronal function in the living brain has a major impact both on
human health and basic sciences. In the past half century, neuronal modulation via implantable
microelectrodes in specific brain regions has been used to relief symptoms associated with a
variety of neuronal disorders. However, this approach suffers from the need to implant complex,
large and expansive electronic devices that depend on an external power supply, and the
unexpected and undesirable side effects that the actual placement of the neurostimulation
electrodes often produces. Recently, major advances in molecular and synthetic biology
facilitated the cloning and optimization of receptors and channels that allow modulation of
neuronal function in response to light, chemicals or temperature. However, the control of these
proteins requires invasive delivery of the activator. Therefore, a non-invasive, remote controlled
neuromodulator that can manipulate specific neuronal population in a non-invasive manner is an
unmet need.
 To embark upon this challenge, we have investigated the potential of an alternative and
novel method to remotely control cellular function through the transmission of non-invasive,
electromagnetic fields (EMF). Using expression cloning, we have identified and cloned a single
gene that encodes to a protein that responds to EMF. This unique gene has never been
characterized before and was termed electromagnetic perceptive gene (EPG). EPG was cloned
and expressed in mammalian cells, neuronal cultures and in rat’s brain. Immunohistochemistry
showed that the expression of EPG is confined to the mammalian cell membrane, and that it
can be expressed in a specific population, and in specific brain regions of the rat. Calcium
imaging in mammalian cells and cultured neurons expressing EPG demonstrated that remote
activation by EMF significantly increases intracellular calcium concentrations, indicative of
cellular excitability. Moreover, wireless magnetic activation of EPG in rat motor cortex induced
motor evoked responses of the contralateral forelimb in vivo. We hypothesize that the EPG
technology will enable wireless control of neuronal function with cell, region and
temporal specificity. Here we propose to thoroughly characterize the EPG in the cellular,
molecular and functional levels. We will also test the effectiveness of the EPG technology to
wirelessly control neuronal function in vivo.
 We anticipate that this new technology would transform the future of neuromodulation,
complement existing neuromodulation tools, and considerably contribute to the understanding of
complex neural circuits.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9968464
- **Project number:** 5R01NS098231-04
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Assaf A Gilad
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $515,057
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-15 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9968464

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9968464, Bioengineering a novel electromagnetic perspective gene as a tool for wireless control of excitable cells (5R01NS098231-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9968464. Licensed CC0.

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