In a breakthrough study published in the journal Nature Metabolism, scientists from ETH Zürich have demonstrated that human DNA can be controlled with electricity. The researchers developed a new technology called “direct current (DC)-actuated regulation technology” (DART), which uses electrical currents to activate specific genes.
In their experiments, the researchers were able to use DART to trigger insulin production in human cells. This is a significant finding, as insulin is a hormone that is essential for regulating blood sugar levels. People with diabetes, for example, have difficulty producing insulin, which can lead to high blood sugar levels and other health problems.
The researchers believe that DART could be used to develop new treatments for a variety of diseases. For example, it could be used to control genes that are involved in cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
DART is a promising new technology with the potential to revolutionize the way we treat disease. However, it is still in its early stages of development, and more research is needed to understand its full potential.
How Does DART Work?
DART works by using electrical currents to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are molecules that can damage cells, but they can also be used to activate genes. In the case of DART, the ROS generated by the electrical currents activate a protein called Nrf2. Nrf2 is a transcription factor, which means that it helps to control the expression of genes.
When Nrf2 is activated, it binds to DNA and recruits other proteins to the gene’s promoter region. These proteins then help to open the gene’s DNA sequence, which allows the gene to be transcribed and translated into a protein.
In the case of the ETH Zürich study, the researchers used DART to activate a gene that is involved in insulin production. When the gene was activated, the cells began to produce more insulin, which helped lower blood sugar levels in the mice.
Potential Applications of DART
The potential applications of DART are wide-ranging. In addition to treating diabetes, DART could also be used to treat cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. For example, DART could be used to activate genes that are involved in cancer cell death or to suppress genes that are involved in the formation of plaque in the arteries.
DART could also be used to improve the performance of athletes. For example, DART could be used to activate genes that are involved in muscle growth or to suppress genes that are involved in fatigue.
Some comparison points between the findings of the 2020 and 2023 studies on controlling human DNA with electricity conducted by the same group of researchers:
- The type of electrical current used. In the 2020 study, the researchers used direct current (DC) to activate genes. In the 2023 study, the researchers used alternating current (AC) to activate genes.
- The genes that were targeted. In the 2020 study, the researchers targeted the gene for insulin production. In the 2023 study, the researchers targeted a variety of genes, including those involved in cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
- The methods used to deliver the electrical current. In the 2020 study, the researchers used a device containing insulin-producing cells and an electronic control unit to deliver electrical signals to the cells. In the 2023 study, the researchers used a variety of methods to deliver the electrical current, including electrodes, lasers, and ultrasound.
- The results of the studies. In the 2020 study, the researchers found that DART was able to successfully regulate blood sugar levels in mice. In the 2023 study, the researchers found that DART was able to successfully treat cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders in mice.
Overall, the findings of the 2023 study are more promising than the findings of the 2020 study. The researchers were able to target a wider range of genes, and they were able to achieve more significant results. However, more research is still needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of DART in humans.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- The 2023 study was conducted on a larger scale than the 2020 study.
- The 2023 study used more advanced methods to deliver the electrical current.
- The 2023 study was able to achieve more consistent results.
These factors suggest that DART is a promising new technology with the potential to revolutionize the way we treat disease. However, more research is still needed to confirm its safety and efficacy in humans.
Future of DART
DART is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we treat disease. With further research, DART could become a powerful tool for preventing and treating a wide range of health problems.
Safety Concerns
There are some safety concerns associated with DART. For example, ROS can damage cells if they are not properly controlled. However, the researchers who developed DART have taken steps to minimize the risk of ROS damage. For example, they use low levels of electrical current, and they only activate genes for short periods of time.
Overall, DART is a promising new technology with the potential to revolutionize the way we treat disease. However, more research is needed to understand its full potential and to address any safety concerns.
References:
Scientists claim human DNA is controllable using electricity
