Controlling genes with your thoughts?

     On November 11, 2014 researchers invented the first gene network thst can be controlled by an individuals thoughts.  This is allowed because of a developed method that enables thought-specific brainwaves to control the conversations of genes into proteins, or gene expression.  Marc Folcher and other researchers from a group led by Martin Fussenegger, Professor of Biotechnology and Bioengineering at the department of biosystems in Basel are the creaters of this novel gene regulation.  Fussenegger states that this is the "first time researchers have been able to tap into human brainwaves, transfer them wirelessly to a gene network and regulate the expression of a gene depending on the type of thought."  The inspiration of this project was a game called Mindflex, where the player wears a headpiece that records their brainwave activity.  Ultimately, the registered electroencephalogram (EEG) is then transerred in the playing environment.  

     Ultimately, the system the Basel-based bioengineers produced also uses an EEG headset.  The headset records the brainwaves, which is then transmitted via a Bluetooth to a controller, thus controls a field generator that generates an electromagnetic field.  A light then goes on in the implant: an integreated LED lamp that emits light, thus turning on and illuminating a culture chamber that holds genetically modified cells. Finally, the cells then begin to produce the desired proteins.  

     These proteins were tested in lab mice by the diffusion of the culture chamber into the bloodstream.  Ulitmately, to regulate the number of released proteins, the test subjects were tested on three states of mind while playing the computer game Minecraft; the three categories were bio-feedback, meditation and concentration.  When completely relaxed, the test subjects produced a very high SEAP values in the test animals.  For bio-feedback the test subjects observed the LED light of the implant in the body of the mouse and were able to consciously switch the LED light on or off via visual feedback.  Fussenegger believes that "controlling genes in this way is a completely nrew and is unique in its simplicity."  Moreover, the use of near-infrared light was used because it not harmful to human cells, thus allowing the modified light-sensitive protein within the gene-modified cell to trigger an artifical signal cascade, resulting in the production od SEAP.

     I found this article and finding to be quite interesting, although I do find these findings to be odd and unusual.  I do not know if these findings should be considered to be phenomenal because I do not know what the ultimate outcome of these findings will be!  However, this field of research is extremely interesting and I am interested in seeing what is to come from this!

Main article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141111111317.htm