Science
Amazing Health Tech Discovery Activates Genes With Electricity
Health Tech
A breakthrough in health tech at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology proved it was possible to control genes using electrical signals. This same team of scientists has recently applied their findings to develop a new piece of wearable health tech. The “direct current-actuated regulation technology”, or DART, is the next form of DNA technology that could potentially cure a wide range of medical conditions that require activated genes, including diabetes.
The original experiment succeeded by producing insulin in mice simply by stimulating relevant genes with electricity. The study was significant because of its potential use as a cure for diabetes. For diabetics, this could mean no more needles, but rather, allowing the body to produce insulin simply by using a medical wearable, like a watch.
While the discovery itself was significant, there were some major obstacles to overcome before it could be implemented in the real world. Jinbo Huang, one of the molecular biologists on the project, says that “Electronic and biological systems function in radically different ways.” He explains that “biological systems are analog” which means they are “programmed by genetics” and are “updated slowly by evolution and controlled by ions” while “electronic systems are digital, programmed by readily updatable software and controlled by electrons.”
The solution to this problem has come in the form of medical wearables. Huang called wearable technologies the “missing link” between digital technologies and the analog system of the body. The DART device allows the human body’s electrical signals to interface with the digital world.
Medical wearables are pieces of technology that collect information from a person while they’re wearing them. Many of us already use them in the form of a Fitbit or Apple Watch. Huang is adamant that it should be straightforward to program these devices to administer a wide range of biopharmaceuticals.
Unlike traditional drugs, biopharmaceuticals utilize living cells from plants, animals, and microorganisms rather than chemicals. While chemical drugs affect a broad area like the body’s immune system, biological therapies only target specific receptors in the body. The targeted approach with medical wearables means patients will experience far fewer unpleasant side effects than they do when taking traditional drugs.
Solving the missing link between digital technology and our body’s electrical system greatly increases the effectiveness of biological medical intervention. It will not only be easier to treat or mitigate the effects of a disease, but by activating and controlling genes, it will also make it possible to prevent some diseases from manifesting in the first place.
Unlocking the potential of the human genome makes future applications of this technology virtually limitless.
IC Inspiration
DNA technology like the DART makes it clear how gene control can provide a cure for diabetes. However, what’s less clear is the extent to which we can control genes.
Could we control our sleep patterns by programming ourselves to get tired at a certain time? Will medical wearables put Starbucks out of business by making it easier to wake up? Virtually any biological function is now theoretically capable of being augmented.
The significance of this breakthrough in health tech is compounded by the fact that 99% of the human genome has been mapped as of 2022. We now know where every tool in the proverbial toolbox of genetics is located, and devices like the DART give us the means to use these tools.
A new study of the brain shows that a potential cure for Alzheimer’s is centered around the brain’s “network gain.” This is essentially our mind’s ability to orient itself in space. Since our orientation is usually the first thing that is compromised by Alzheimer’s, perhaps finding a way to stimulate “network gain” using electronic gene activation may prove to be another missing link between theory and application… A motivational thought indeed.