Genetically engineered 'Magneto' protein remotely controls brain and behaviour

[brwn]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/neu ... _t_CUCeAlE

Genetically engineered 'Magneto' protein remotely controls brain and behaviour


A new method uses a magnetised protein to activate brain cells rapidly, reversibly, and non-invasively

The most powerful of these is a method called optogenetics, which enables researchers to switch populations of related neurons on or off on. Another method, called chemogenetics, uses engineered proteins that are activated by designer drugs and can be targeted to specific cell types.


Both of these methods have drawbacks. Optogenetics is invasive, requiring insertion of optical fibres that deliver the light pulses into the brain. Chemogenetic typically induce biochemical reactions that take several seconds to activate nerve cells.

Nerve cell proteins can be genetically engineered so that they become sensitive to radio waves and magnetic fields. These methods represent an important advance – they have, for example, already been used to regulate blood glucose levels in mice – but involve multiple components which have to be introduced separately.


There’s more in the article.
Mlk
Genetically targeted magnetic control of the nervous system.

[Udeveli Omhlophe]

Optogenetics doesn't need to be invasive. It can be remote controlled with lasers of different wavelengths.