EMF-Portal | Microwave radiation induces a heat-shock response and enhances growth in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Microwave radiation induces a heat-shock response and enhances growth in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans med./bio.

By: de Pomerai DI, Daniells C, David H, Allan J, Duce I, Mutwakil M, Thomas D, Sewell P, Tattersall J, Jones D, Candido P

Published in: IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech 2000; 48 (11): 2076-2081

Journal

Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to editor)

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 750 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 18 h	power: 0.5 W electric field strength: 45 V/m (at the center of the TEM cell) power density: 10 W/m² (at the center of the TEM cell) electric field strength: 1.3 V/m (in the medium) SAR: 0.001 W/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	750 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	continuous for 18 h

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	TEM cell [Daniells et al., 1998]
Chamber	Incubator temperatures of 24.0, 24.5, 25.0 and 25.5 °C were tested using 12 replicates for each condition. Controls (6 replicates) were also run at 22, 26, 27 and 28 °C.
Setup	Worms were exposed in shallow aqueous K medium or plated on agar in 6- or 12-well multiwell dishes placed in the center of the TEM cell.
Additional info	Control worms were shielded by wrapped foil and placed outside the TEM cell in the same incubator. Baseline controls were maintained at 15°C.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	0.5 W	-	-	-	-
electric field strength	45 V/m	-	-	-	at the center of the TEM cell
power density	10 W/m²	-	-	-	at the center of the TEM cell
electric field strength	1.3 V/m	-	estimated	-	in the medium
SAR	0.001 W/kg	-	estimated	-	-

Reference articles

Daniells C et al. (1998): Transgenic nematodes as biomonitors of microwave-induced stress

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
dead worms

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

It is concluded that both growth and heat-shock responses are induced by microwave exposure. Significant induction of the heat-shock response is demonstrated. There is also a modest stimulation of growth. Since there is no measurable increase in medium or worm temperature during exposure, both effects appear to be mediated by nonthermal mechanisms.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), UK

Wellcome Trust, 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

Daniells C et al. (1998): Transgenic nematodes as biomonitors of microwave-induced stress