A research team has developed a new
gene regulation method that lets thought-specific brainwaves control the
conversion of genes into proteins — called gene expression. The bioengineers published their
results in the journal Nature Communications on November 11, 2014.
Bioengineers are now able to tap into human brainwaves, transfer
them wirelessly to a gene network, and regulate the expression of a gene
depending on the type of thought.
These
scientists say one source of inspiration for the new thought-controlled gene
regulation system was the game Mindflex, in which the
player wears a special EEG headset, which has a sensor on the forehead that
records brainwaves. In the game, the registered electroencephalogram (EEG) is
then transferred into the playing environment. The EEG controls a fan that enables a small
ball to be thought-guided through an obstacle course. In these scientists’ research, recorded
brainwaves are analyzed and wirelessly transmitted via Bluetooth to a
controller, which in turn controls a field generator that generates an
electromagnetic field, which in turn supplies an implant with an induction
current. A light then literally goes on
in the implant: an integrated LED lamp that emits light in the near-infrared
range turns on and illuminates a culture chamber containing genetically
modified cells. When the near-infrared light illuminates the cells, they start
to produce the desired protein.
The
system functions efficiently and effectively in the human-cell culture and
human-mouse system. IT is hoped that a
thought-controlled implant could one day help to combat neurological diseases,
such as chronic headaches, back pain, and epilepsy, by detecting specific
brainwaves at an early stage and triggering and controlling the creation of
certain agents in the implant at exactly the right time.
Exciting
and truly futuristic in the now!
drshawnie.com
Chiropractor in Broken Arrow
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