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Professor Jinwoo Cheon, Minsuk Kwak, Jae-Hyun Lee Advanced Science Institute

Harnessing the Power of Magnetism to Control Animal Behavior

Researchers expressed artificial magnetoreceptors in mice that respond to an external magnetic field allowing the study of neuronal activity that controls behavior.

Research published online in Nature Nanotechnology in July, 2024

[External rotating magnetic field triggers the artificial magnetoreceptors, expressed in target neurons within the brain, resulting in neuronal activation that allows the study of consequent changes in behavior.]

The allure of controlling brain activity in order to modify human behavior continues to fascinate scientists. Such investigations of neuronal connectivity and function require technologies that can modulate neurons.


Recently, researchers have developed methods to genetically modify specific neurons so they respond to light or chemicals, enabling controlled stimulation and mapping of their functions. However, these techniques are often imprecise and involve invasive procedures with wired or electrode-based tools, making them cumbersome and complex. There is a growing need for less invasive methods that allow for precise control of neurons in live animals.


One promising approach is magnetic field-based neuronal activation, which offers a non-invasive and wireless way to stimulate deep brain regions. However, to achieve precise control using magnetic fields, it's necessary to use magnetic sensors that are specifically targeted to the desired neurons.


To address this challenge, a team of researchers, including Professor Jinwoo Cheon, Director of Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Center for Nanomedicine, Assistant Professors Minsuk Kwak and Jae-Hyun Lee from the Department of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME) at the Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Korea, developed a Magneto-mechanical Genetics (MMG) technology. This innovative approach harnesses magnetic fields to remotely activate specific neuronal cells in deep brain tissue using targeted nanoparticles.


Highlighting their approach, senior author Prof. Cheon said on behalf of the authors, “We successfully designed and expressed artificial magnetoreceptors in mammalian brains that enables the target animal to sense the applied magnetic fields for modulating brain functions, as intended. This technology has huge potential to unveil novel neural circuitry and to control its functions.”


The team used the Cre-loxP technique to genetically express a modified mechanosensitive ion channel, Piezo1, in specific neuronal cells within the mouse brain. They labeled Piezo1 with a nanomagnetic particle called m-Torquer, which can generate rotating forces or torque in response to an external rotating magnetic field. When exposed to a rotational magnetic force generator, m-Torquer displaces, opening Piezo1 in the target neurons, leading to calcium entry and subsequent neuronal excitation.


MMG stimulation of different neurons in the mouse brain resulted in bidirectional regulation of behaviors such as feeding, sociability, and pup retrieval. These findings suggest the potential application of MMG in regulating dietary habits and social behavior. Unlike prior approaches, MMG's potential scalability to larger animal models is likely to enhance its popularity for future behavioral studies. Further research is needed to determine whether long-term overexpression of Piezo1 or frequent exposure to magnetic stimulation causes any neurotoxicity.


Overall, MMG stimulation appears to trigger quickly reversible changes in neural activity of target cell populations, leading to significant changes in behavior without adverse effects. This study demonstrates the potential of magnetogenetics as an effective research tool for neuronal activity, especially in live animals. 


“We hope that the underlying neural circuits of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s diseases, Alzheimer’s, and depression, can be revealed to mitigate their symptom and well-being of patients,” concludes Prof. Cheon.


[Find out more]

Title of original article: In vivo magnetogenetics for cell-type-specific targeting and modulation of brain circuits

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-024-01694-2 

Journal: Nature Nanotechnology

Contact corresponding authors: Professor Jinwoo Cheon (jcheon@yonsei.ac.kr), Minsuk Kwak (minsuk.kwak@yonsei.ac.kr), Jae-Hyun Lee (jhyun_lee@yonsei.ac.kr)

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