A new technique, dubbed magnetogenetics, has now provided a way to control cells by combining magnetic manipulation with their their own machinery for stabilizing new extensions. Techniques like this ...

Magnetogenetics has just emerged as a way to noninvasively activate neurons. The technology involves fusing or targeting the iron-binding protein ferritin to TRP channels in the neuronal membrane. A ...

They also will continue to explore and optimize the magnetogenetics technology itself. "Being able now to do directional manipulations of brain activity with this relatively simple system is going to ...

The cells of our bodies aren't just featureless bags of proteins. Many of them have distinctive shapes and structures that are essential to their function. Neurons, for example, extend processes away ...

Researchers have developed a gene therapy technology that uses magnetic fields to switch groups of neurons on and off, controlling brain circuits affected by Parkinson’s disease. In addition to ...

Magnetic fields to control neurons remotely? A cutting-edge technology, magnetogenetics, now allows the inhibition or activation of brain circuits in mice remotely, without implants. Scientists at ...

Last year saw a new twist on optogenetics (see “Mind controls: Putting a light switch in the brain“): magnetogenetics, or using a magnetic field to trigger the firing of genetically engineered neurons ...

Several recent studies in high-profile journals reported to have genetically engineered neurons to become responsive to magnetic fields. In doing so, the authors could remotely control the activity of ...

The team also tested out the approach in live zebrafish larvae, expressing the Magneto protein in neurons that control the animals’ escape response. Sure enough, exposing the fish to a magnetic field ...