Experimental Evidence of Radio Frequency Radiation From Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

Source: ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9771271

IEEE Journal of Electromagnetics, RF and Microwaves in Medicine and Biology
Volume: 6, Issue: 3, September 2022

Menglou Rao, Kamal Sarabandi, John Soukar, Nicholas A. Kotov and J. Scott VanEpps
Radiation Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Impact Statement:
Take-Home Messages •Advanced measurement systems and techniques are utilized to detect extremely weak EM radiation from bacterial biofilms. •Bacterial cells radiate EM waves in certain frequency bands; such radiation may play a role in intra- and inter-cell communication. •Understanding the communication mechanisms among cells in biofilms is critical for effective biofilm control and management, and can lead to advances in disease treatments. •This is the first time that EM radiation from Staphylococcus aureus biofilms has been detected in the GHz frequency range. The insight could lead to breakthroughs in demystifying how cells communicate as well as advancement of important technologies in biology and communication systems.

Abstract:
This paper reports the first successful detection of electromagnetic (EM) radiation from Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in the gigahertz (GHz) frequency range. Two novel sensing systems are deployed for the measurement. A very sensitive wideband near-zone radiative system specifically designed for this application is first used to search for signals in the 1–50 GHz frequency region. Notable radiation is observed in the 3–4 GHz band. Exposure to lethal doses of Zinc oxide nanopyramids (ZnO-NPY) is used to verify that the signals are indeed produced by living cells rather than material thermal emission. Afterwards, a spiral antenna system is exploited to further examine the band of interest in the near-field region. Radiation from 3 identical biofilm samples is monitored and recorded over 70 days. Two distinct frequency bands, namely the 3.18 GHz and the 3.45 GHz bands, are identified as potential “communication bands”. Furthermore, long-term and short-term cycles of the total radiation intensity within the band are observed over the course of the experiment. This work confirms the presence of EM radiation within bacterial communities, which is a key requirement to demonstrate EM signaling among bacterial cells. The insight could lead to breakthroughs in demystifying how cells communicate as well as advancement of important technologies in biology and communication systems.

This may have health consequences. The 3.18 and 3.45 GHz frequencies identified above and produced by living cells are extremely close to the 3.5 GHz band used for wireless data communication.

Zie in verband hiermee:
tweakers.net/nieuws/204556/nederlandse-minister-verwacht-3-komma-5ghz-frequenties-voor-5g-na-zomer-2023-te-veilen.html .



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