Switching genes on-and-off with your mind

A device that lets thoughts regulate the expression of genes was recently reported.

I just finished reading the third book from the “Dune” series, and it was indeed a disappointment compared to the first two books, I must admit. Do not feel confused, I am not reviewing science fiction novels here. It is just that I cannot help but vividly recollect how a couple of the characters from the world of Dune can alter their body’s metabolism and enzymatic activities by simply using their minds. In line with this imaginative concept, researchers from Switzerland have developed a system which bridges brain waves and gene expression, allowing wireless activation or deactivation of protein production.

In the model described, the brain waves from three different mental states were intercepted by a brain-computer interface and the signals transmitted to an optogenetic device consisting of a light source and an associated culture chamber containing human cells engineered to express a key regulator in the interferon pathway - the transcription of which is controlled by a synthetic light-stimulated signaling pathway. Different mental states of the human participants triggered different intensities of light, and consequently, different levels of the target protein were observed in the bloodstream of the mice carrying the optogenetic devices.  

According to the authors, this system which combines synthetic biology and cybernetics is pretty much akin to mind-controlled bionic prostheses. And, what does this “mind-genetic” synchronization mean in the battle against diseases? For neurological disorders like epilepsy, bioelectronic devices are currently being utilized and rapidly improvised, but in most cases the devices are controlled externally. The mind-genetic interfaces may one day enable patients to manage implants carrying medications with the help of their own thought process.  

Cover image: Brain-computer interface (Ars etectronica, Flickr)

References

Folcher et al., Mind-controlled transgene expression by a wireless-powered optogenetic designer cell implant, Nature Communications (2014). DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6392

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