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Nanobiotechnology

Remote control of cells

Using temperature-sensitive ion channels and magnetic nanoparticles attached to membranes of cells, the electrical activity in neurons can be controlled by an externally applied magnetic field.

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Figure 1: Remote control of electrical activity in genetically targeted nerve cells using magnetic fields ('magnetogenetics') or light ('optogenetics').

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Knöpfel, T., Akemann, W. Remote control of cells. Nature Nanotech 5, 560–561 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2010.163

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2010.163

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