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

Article · Folcher M, Oesterle S, Zwicky K, Thekkottil T, Heymoz J, Hohmann M, Christen M, Daoud El-Baba M, Buchmann P, Fussenegger M

- Archive id: doi:10.1038/ncomms6392
- Published: 2014-11-11
- Venue: Nature communications
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms6392
- PMID: 25386727
- PMCID: PMC4241983
- Citations: 89
- Source URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms6392
- PDF: https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4241983/pdf
- Provenance: europepmc

## Abstract

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.

_Abstract reproduced under CC-BY (article license as recorded by Europe PMC; abstract reproduced unmodified apart from markup removal)._

Topics: [Brain-Computer Interfaces](https://space-kitty.com/topics/brain-computer-interfaces)

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