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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Laser Microirradiation to Study In Vivo Cellular Responses to Simple and Complex DNA Damage
10:44

Laser Microirradiation to Study In Vivo Cellular Responses to Simple and Complex DNA Damage

Published on: January 31, 2018

Effect of terahertz irradiation on DNA damage repair in living cells

Yuya Ueno1, Shota Yamazaki2, Hiromichi Hoshina2

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

FEBS Open Bio
|June 18, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Terahertz (THz) irradiation non-thermally reduces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), the most severe DNA damage. This finding suggests THz waves could help prevent diseases linked to genomic instability.

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are critical DNA damage, leading to cancer and diseases if unrepaired.
  • Rapid repair of DSBs is essential for maintaining genomic stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of terahertz (THz) irradiation on DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs).
  • To determine if THz irradiation's effect on DSBs is thermal or nonthermal.
  • To explore potential medical applications of THz irradiation in managing genomic instability.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of biological samples to varying frequencies of terahertz (THz) irradiation.
  • Assessment of DNA double-strand break (DSB) levels post-irradiation.
  • Comparison of DSB levels under THz irradiation with and without heating.

Main Results:

  • Terahertz (THz) irradiation was found to decrease the incidence of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs).
  • This reduction in DSBs by THz irradiation occurred in a frequency-dependent manner.
  • Increased DSBs were observed upon heating, confirming the nonthermal nature of THz effects on DNA damage.

Conclusions:

  • Terahertz (THz) irradiation exhibits a nonthermal effect in reducing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs).
  • Modulating DNA damage repair with THz irradiation offers a noninvasive approach for potential medical interventions.
  • This technology may aid in preventing and suppressing diseases associated with genomic instability.
Keywords:
DNA damage repairDNA double‐strand breakTHz irradiation

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