Sensitive model with which to detect athermal effects of non‐ionizing electromagnetic radiation

Abstract

To clarify the potential of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation to cause biological effects by athermal mechanisms, and to initiate elucidation of those mechanisms, a model system amenable to scrutiny at the molecular level has been designed and characterized. Assessment of beta-galactosidase activity in E. coli JM101 containing the plasmid pUC8 provides a sensitive assay with many important advantages. The ability to examine at the molecular level each of the processes involved in producing beta-galactosidase should permit elucidation of the molecular mechanism(s) that give rises to an observed effect.

Microwave‐specific heating affects gene expression

“…The model and the assays for P-galactosidase activity were exactly as described by Saffer and Profenno [1989]. For controlled irradiation of the biological samples, we recognized that several criteria had to be met: 1) the samples should remain sterile; 2) the samples must be efficiently irradiated; 3) temperature of the sample medium should be maintained within k O .…”