Development of ultrasonic and magnetic field-sensitive receiver molecules and their application to muscle tissue formation promotion technology

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Next-generation non-invasive biological deep-tissue manipulation by biomolecular engineering and low physical energy logistics
• Project/Area Number: 20H05758
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Transformative Research Areas, Section (III)
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Inoue Keiichi 東京大学, 物性研究所, 准教授 (90467001)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-10-02 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 深部生体操作 / 光熱変換 / 超音波 / 磁場 / 低物理エネルギーロジスティクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The primary objective of this research is to develop new elemental technologies to control neuronal activity with two types of low-physical energy, ultrasound and magnetic fields. To this aim, we will develop new molecules that sensitively respond to ultrasound and magnetic fields (receiver molecules) using various mechanosensitive channels and ferritin protein, which forms a nano-size cage containing an iron nanoparticle. We will then apply a magnetic field of up to 200 mT to mammalian cells heterologously expressing the receiver molecules and measure channel currents and calcium signals to evaluate their responsiveness to the magnetic fields. Furthermore, by introducing the developed receiver molecule into skeletal muscle cells, we will attempt to induce cell contraction and maintain and to regenerate skeletal muscle in response to magnetic fields as our second objective.

Free Research Field

生物物理

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では様々な分子デザインを試みることで、細胞中で機械受容チャネルにFerritinを強固に結合することに成功した。そしてさらに磁場を印加することで一部の細胞において磁場印加に伴うカルシウムシグナルの増大を引き起こすことに成功した。今後この効率を向上させることで、現行の可視光を用いるオプトジェネティクスでは困難な、体深部における骨格筋や神経細胞の操作が可能となり、将来的には現在有効な治療法がない筋萎縮性側索硬化症（ALS）の治療法開発への応用が期待される。