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Millimeter waves alter DNA secondary structures and modulate the transcriptome in human fibroblasts
Nicholas B Lawler1,2, Cameron W Evans2, Sergii Romanenko3
1Department of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
Biomedical Optics Express
|July 1, 2022
Summary
Millimetre waves (MMW) exposure in human cells causes genetic and gene expression changes. High MMW doses alter cell functions and DNA structures without causing DNA damage.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Electromagnetic Biology
Background:
- Millimetre wave (MMW) technologies are expanding into mobile communications and networking.
- Understanding the biological effects of MMW exposure is crucial for safety assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological effects of MMW exposure on primary human dermal fibroblasts.
- To characterize genomic and transcriptomic alterations induced by MMWs.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of human dermal fibroblasts to 60 GHz MMWs at 2.6 mW cm-2.
- Analysis of genomic and transcriptomic changes after 2 and 4 days of repeated exposure.
- Assessment of DNA structural dynamics and damage.
Main Results:
- MMW exposure triggered significant genomic and transcriptomic alterations.
- Repeated MMW doses induced a distinct physiological response.
- High-dose MMWs caused non-thermal alterations in gene expression and DNA structures (G-quadruplex, i-motif).
- No DNA damage was observed.
Conclusions:
- MMW exposure can induce complex biological responses at cellular level.
- Non-thermal effects on transcriptome and DNA structure dynamics are key findings.
- Further research is needed to fully understand MMW biological impacts and establish safety guidelines.
