Mind-controlled transgene expression by a wireless-powered optogenetic designer cell implant

Synthetic devices for traceless remote control of gene expression may provide new treatment opportunities in future gene- and cell-based therapies. Here we report the design of a synthetic mind-controlled gene switch that enables human brain activities and mental states to wirelessly programme the t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications Vol. 5; no. 1; p. 5392
Main Authors: Folcher, Marc, Oesterle, Sabine, Zwicky, Katharina, Thekkottil, Thushara, Heymoz, Julie, Hohmann, Muriel, Christen, Matthias, Daoud El-Baba, Marie, Buchmann, Peter, Fussenegger, Martin
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 11.11.2014
Nature Publishing Group
Nature Pub. Group
Subjects:
631/1647/2253
631/378
631/61/338/552
631/61/54/993
Alkaline Phosphatase - biosynthesis
Animals
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Cybernetics
Cyclic GMP - analogs & derivatives
Cyclic GMP - metabolism
Design
Electroencephalography
Female
Gene Expression
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
Implants, Experimental
Interferon
Kinases
Light
Metabolism
Mice
multidisciplinary
Optogenetics - methods
Prostheses
Remote control
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Signal Transduction
Synthetic biology
Transcription, Genetic
Transgenes
Transplants & implants
Wireless Technology
Basel Switzerland
Switzerland
ISSN:2041-1723, 2041-1723
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Synthetic devices for traceless remote control of gene expression may provide new treatment opportunities in future gene- and cell-based therapies. Here we report the design of a synthetic mind-controlled gene switch that enables human brain activities and mental states to wirelessly programme the transgene expression in human cells. An electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain–computer interface (BCI) processing mental state-specific brain waves programs an inductively linked wireless-powered optogenetic implant containing designer cells engineered for near-infrared (NIR) light-adjustable expression of the human glycoprotein SEAP (secreted alkaline phosphatase). The synthetic optogenetic signalling pathway interfacing the BCI with target gene expression consists of an engineered NIR light-activated bacterial diguanylate cyclase (DGCL) producing the orthogonal second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), which triggers the stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent induction of synthetic interferon-β promoters. Humans generating different mental states (biofeedback control, concentration, meditation) can differentially control SEAP production of the designer cells in culture and of subcutaneous wireless-powered optogenetic implants in mice. Brain–machine interfaces offer the possibility of controlling prosthetic devices using changes in brain activity. Folcher et al. couple such a system wirelessly to an optogenetic implant in mice to control expression of a transgene, demonstrating its potential for mind-controlled drug delivery.
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ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/ncomms6392