At a Glance
- Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a method to control gene expression in living organisms using magnetic fields. This method offers a noninvasive alternative to conventional drug delivery methods.
- When exposed to low-frequency magnetic fields, the system uses multiferroic nanoparticles coated in chitosan that generate reactive oxygen species, triggering therapeutic protein production inside engineered cells.
- In diabetic mice, daily short-term exposure to magnetic fields successfully activated insulin release, effectively maintaining stable blood glucose levels without requiring injections.
- This technology enables remote, non-invasive treatment control and holds promise for managing chronic diseases like diabetes more efficiently and comfortably for patients.
- Pending further optimization and clinical trials, researchers believe the technique could revolutionize cancer treatment, neurology, and tissue regeneration therapies.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a groundbreaking technique that allows scientists to control gene expression in living organisms using magnetic fields, offering a non-invasive solution for medical treatments. This technique could be a game-changer in managing diseases like diabetes, as it allows for precise control over protein production without requiring surgery or drug injections. By using nanoparticles that respond to low-frequency magnetic fields, the team has found a way to trigger the release of therapeutic proteins, such as insulin, in living organisms.
The nanoparticles used in this study are made of multiferroic materials and coated with a biocompatible chitosan polymer. When exposed to a weak magnetic field, these nanoparticles generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells. ROS are naturally occurring molecules that play a role in cell signaling. The team engineered mammalian cells to be sensitive to these ROS signals, which activate proteins in the cells to produce therapeutic proteins like insulin.
In a mouse model of diabetes, the researchers showed that they could control insulin secretion by exposing the animals to a weak electromagnetic field for just a few minutes each day. This approach was highly effective, keeping the mice’s blood glucose levels stable throughout the study. The key advantage of this method is that it is non-invasive and can be controlled remotely, which could reduce the need for regular injections or surgeries for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes.
The team’s findings, published in Nature Nanotechnology, represent a significant step forward in biomedical research, opening the door for new, more personalized, and dynamic treatments. This technology could be applied to various medical fields, including oncology, neurology, and regenerative medicine. Researchers are continuing to refine the system to make it even more efficient and ready for clinical use, which could dramatically improve the management of chronic diseases.
References
- Lin, Z., Guha Ray, P., Huang, J., Buchmann, P., & Fussenegger, M. (2025). Electromagnetic wireless remote control of mammalian transgene expression. Nature Nanotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-025-01929-w
- Fadelli, I. & Phys.org. (2025, May 18). Nanoparticle-cell interface enables electromagnetic wireless programming of mammalian transgene expression. Phys.Org; Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2025-05-nanoparticle-cell-interface-enables-electromagnetic.html
