Thomas, Selina (2023). The role of RF-EMF (5G) on neuronal development and neuronal health using brain organoids. (Submitted). (Dissertation, Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Vetsuisse)
![[img]](https://boris.unibe.ch/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text (Doctoral Thesis)
Thomas_S_2023_Diss_EN.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License BORIS Standard License. Download (3MB) |
The expansion of wireless communication technologies has led to a significant increase in public exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), with the latest technology being the 5G New Radio (NR) mobile phone network. In addition, the frequent use of cell phones with their position near the head, has raised concerns about potential health effects, particularly on the brain.
In this work, midbrain and cerebral organoids were generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and exposed to 1950 MHz RF-EMF to study possible effects on neuronal development.
5G RF-EMF exposure did not alter neuronal maturity and the dopaminergic phenotype. Preliminary results showed a significant decrease in synaptophysin protein levels after RF-EMF exposure at day 30, indicating a reduced synaptic activity. RF-EMF exposure decreased neuronal progenitor cells expressed in ventricle-like zones in cerebral organoids, whereas an increase of these cells was found in midbrain organoids. In midbrain organoids, a reactivity of astrocytes was observed for one of two glial markers investigated. Overall, midbrain organoids were observed to be more sensitive to radiation compared to cerebral organoids.
Further studies will be performed to investigate possible effects of 5G NR RF-EMF at different timepoints, and intensities during neuronal development and disease models of neurodegeneration.
Item Type: |
Thesis (Dissertation) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health (DCR-VPH) > Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology 05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health (DCR-VPH) |
UniBE Contributor: |
Thomas, Selina (A) |
Subjects: |
600 Technology > 630 Agriculture 500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology |
Funders: |
[70] Bundesamt fur Umwelt (BAFU) ; [UNSPECIFIED] Swiss Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication ; [239] UniBern Forschungsstiftung |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Angélique Ducray |
Date Deposited: |
08 Aug 2023 10:20 |
Last Modified: |
08 Aug 2023 10:20 |
Related URLs: |
|
Uncontrolled Keywords: |
radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, 5G, midbrain organoid, cerebral organoid, neuronal development |
BORIS DOI: |
10.48350/185276 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/185276 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit item |