EMF-Portal | Transgenic nematodes as biomonitors of microwave-induced stress

Transgenic nematodes as biomonitors of microwave-induced stress med./bio.

By: Daniells C, Duce I, Thomas D, Sewell P, Tattersall J, de Pomerai DI

Published in: Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanism of Mutagenesis 1998; 399 (1): 55-64

Aim of study (acc. to editor)

To demonstrate microwave-induced stress responses in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (i.e. nematodes) which are both reproducible and simple to detect. The effects of continuous microwave radiation on heat-shock protein (HSP) responses were investigated.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 750 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 2, 4, 8 or 16 h	-
Exposure 2: 300–750 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 16 h	-

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	750 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2, 4, 8 or 16 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	TEM cell 34 cm long, 24 x 24 cm at the center, 1.5 x 1.5 cm at the ends
Chamber	TEM cell placed in an incubator at 25°C in a shielded room
Setup	worms placed centrally in the TEM cell
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	300–750 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 16 h
Additional info	experiments dane at 300 MHz and 750 MHz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:

worm suspension

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data suggest that microwave radiation causes measurable stress to transgenic nematodes. 750 MHz irradiation of nematodes caused stress reporter gene induction after 2 and 16 hours but not after 4 and 8 hours of exposure.
Exposure to 750 MHz but not to 300 MHz at different power settings (500, 250, 125 mW) for 16 hours caused stress reporter gene induction in nematodes. The results are reproducible and data acquisation is both rapid and simple.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Ministry of Defence (MOD), UK

Replication studies

Ellrich J et al. (2004): Low-frequency stimulation of trigeminal afferents induces long-term depression of human sensory processing

Fasseas MK et al. (2015): Response of Caenorhabditis elegans to wireless devices radiation exposure

Dawe AS et al. (2009): Low-intensity microwave irradiation does not substantially alter gene expression in late larval and adult Caenorhabditis elegans

Dawe AS et al. (2008): Continuous wave and simulated GSM exposure at 1.8 W/kg and 1.8 GHz do not induce hsp16-1 heat-shock gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans

Dawe AS et al. (2006): A small temperature rise may contribute towards the apparent induction by microwaves of heat-shock gene expression in the nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans

de Pomerai DI et al. (2000): Microwave radiation induces a heat-shock response and enhances growth in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Transgenic nematodes as biomonitors of microwave-induced stress med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to editor)

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

Replication studies

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