Effects of microwave irradiation on some membrane-related processes in bacteria

In a series of experiments performed on intact cells or spheroplasts of E. coli and Bac. subtilis a possibility of non-thermal effects induced by continuous microwave irradiation of a low power density (at wave length range from 0.0 to 7.8 mm) was studied. Thymidine and thymine uptake, leakage of potassium and hydrogen ions as well as the uptake of the transforming DNA by the component cells of Bac. subtilis were shown to be affected in a way typical of that due to heating of a sample. No specific dependence of the effects observed on wavelength was found.