Korea Varsity Researchers Develop Electromagnetically Controllable Gene Switch
A team of researchers at Dongguk University, South Korea has developed a novel electromagnetic field (EMF) responsive gene switch which represents a powerful non-invasive platform for gene research and therapy
Seoul (South Korea): A team of researchers at Dongguk University, South Korea has developed a novel electromagnetic field (EMF) responsive gene switch which represents a powerful non-invasive platform for gene research and therapy.
Their study, led by Professor Jongpil Kim and Doctoral student Yerim Hwang from the Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine of Dongguk University, was made available online on April 14, 2026 published in Volume 189, Issue 11 of the journal Cell on May 28, 2026.
The innovative electromagnetic field-inducible gene switch enables fully reversible, safe, and precise control over gene expression.
A gene switch is a regulatory DNA segment or molecular system used to turn specific genes on or off. It controls when, where, and how much protein a cell makes. Scientists use natural and artificial gene switches to guide cell development, study disease, and advance gene therapy.
What's New?
Researchers in recent years have developed several gene switches to remotely control gene expression in living organisms using stimuli such as drugs, light, heat, ultrasound, and electrical signals. However, the existing versions of gene switches are limited in offering precise control over the timing and duration of gene expression.
Moreover, drug-based gene switches can have undesirable adverse effects, while some stimuli such as light can make penetrating deeper tissues challenging.
To address these limitations, the researchers from Dongguk University, who were led by Professor Jongpil Kim and Doctoral student Yerim Hwang from the Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, have developed the new electromagnetic field (EMF) responsive gene switch.
Research Methodology
To identify EMF-responsive genes, the researchers performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on mouse brain tissue following exposure to an EMF of 2.0 millitesla at 60 hertz. The team found exclusive upregulation of Lgr4 expression.
Through a series of validation experiments, the team found that the promoter of Lgr4 was well suited for constructing an EMF-inducible (Ei) gene switch, exhibiting precise activation with no detectable adverse effects during the study.
To evaluate the system in living animals, the researchers linked the Ei element to a reporter that produces green fluorescent protein (GFP), allowing gene activity to be visualized. They then generated transgenic mice carrying this reporter.
Following EMF exposure, the mice showed strong GFP expression throughout the body, while targeted EMF exposure produced localized gene expression in specific organs. When EMF stimulation was discontinued, gene expression returned to baseline within 24 hours, demonstrating that the Ei gene switch is highly tunable, reversible, and capable of precise remote control of gene expression, Dongguk University said.
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