Effects of Very High Magnetic Fields on the Structure and Function of the Ion Channel of Gramicidin A and Its Analogs in SDS Micelles
EMSL Project ID
2185
Abstract
Since 1966 there have been over 1000 papers published on the possible effects of low frequency, low electromagnetic fields on biological processes. A few epidemiological surveys suggested that a small increase in the incidence of certain cancers may be associated with the long term exposure to low frequency magnetic fields. If low intensity, low frequency magnetic fields act on moving charges, ion transport across membranes has been considered as a possibility for such a process. In fact, a particularly influential study proposed that combinations of parallel low frequency and static magnetic fields satisfying a cyclotron resonance condition were able to alter the rate of calcium transport across an external membrane. Skepticism arises at least partly because simple direct interaction between the fields and an ion is too weak. Many experiments with monovalent cations have shown this to be true. These weak fields are also incapable of breaking chemical bonds so that chemically altering some biological process is not a viable mechanism for the possible effect of low frequency, low magnetic field.
Project Details
Project type
Capability Research
Start Date
2001-05-02
End Date
2001-05-08
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator