Members of our team have already published work on sonogenetics (check our article breaking down that research here). We think this could have interesting applications in the future, since it overcomes the issue of other techniques like optogenetics, and that’s why now part of our team has recently publish a review on sonogenetics at the IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control journal.
In this article we will try to introduce you to the fascinating world of sonogenetics, a cutting-edge field in synthetic biology that uses ultrasound together with genetic modifications to manipulate cellular functions. This innovative approach is possible alternative for non-invasive treatments and therapies that is actively being researched and that offers a glimpse into what could be the future of medicine.
What is Sonogenetics?
Sonogenetics is a revolutionary technique that combines ultrasound technology with genetic engineering to control cellular activities. Unlike traditional methods that might require surgery or invasive procedures, sonogenetics uses sound waves to activate or deactivate specific cellular functions. This method is particularly exciting because it can reach deep into tissues without causing damage, making it a promising tool for both research and therapeutic applications.
The ability to control cells remotely and non-invasively opens a world of possibilities for treating diseases, delivering genes, and even fighting cancer. Sonogenetics builds on the principles of optogenetics, which uses light to control cells, but overcomes some of its limitations, such as the inability to penetrate deep tissues.
Key Concepts in Sonogenetics
Mechanosensitive Ion Channels: Imagine tiny gates on the surface of cells that open in response to mechanical forces, like pressure or vibration. These are called mechanosensitive ion channels. When these gates open, they allow ions to flow into or out of the cell, triggering various cellular responses.
Acoustic Radiation Force: This is the force exerted by ultrasound waves. When ultrasound hits a cell, it can push or pull on the cell membrane, opening those mechanosensitive ion channels by creating a pressure or vibration. This force can be finely tuned to control specific cellular functions.
Temperature Increase: Ultrasound can also heat up tissues. This heat can activate certain proteins inside cells, like heat shock factors, which can turn on specific genes. This is particularly useful for therapies that require precise control over gene expression.
Cavitation: Cavitation is a phenomenon where tiny bubbles in a liquid rapidly expand and collapse under the influence of ultrasound waves. This process can create shock waves that make cell membranes more permeable, allowing substances to enter the cell more easily. This can be used to deliver drugs or genes directly into cells.
Applications of Sonogenetics
The potential applications of sonogenetics offer innovative solutions to some of the most challenging problems in medicine and biology. By harnessing the power of ultrasound to control cellular functions, scientists are exploring new ways to treat diseases, enhance gene therapy, and improve cancer treatments. This non-invasive approach opens new avenues for research and therapeutic interventions. Let’s delve into some of the most exciting applications of sonogenetics that are paving the way for future advancements in healthcare.
One of the most exciting applications of sonogenetics is in neuromodulation, where ultrasound is used to control neurons in the brain. This could potentially help in treating neurological diseases like Parkinson’s or depression by turning specific brain activities on or off.
Ultrasound can be used to deliver genes into cells by disrupting the cell membrane and making it more permeable to large molecules like DNA or RNA (sonoporation) This could be useful for treating genetic disorders, and therefore sonogenetics offers a promising avenue for gene therapy.
In cancer treatment, ultrasound can help control gene expression in cancer cells or in activating immune cells to attack cancer cells. This targeted approach can improve the effectiveness of treatments while minimizing side effects.
While sonogenetics holds immense promise, there are still challenges to overcome in order to transform these applications into therapies used by doctors to treat patients. For this reason, a focus on standardizing ultrasound settings across different studies is crucial for reliable and reproducible results. Additionally, more research is needed to fully understand how ultrasound affects cells at a molecular level.
Future advancements in sonogenetics will come and we think they could include combining it with other technologies like CRISPR for gene editing, developing new tools to make ultrasound even more precise, and improving the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-based therapies.
Conclusion
Sonogenetics is a relatively new field that uses ultrasound to control cells in a non-invasive way. It has potential applications in treating diseases, delivering genes, and fighting cancer. We already mentioned some of the challenges it faces but we are sure that with more research, sonogenetics could become in the future a powerful tool in medicine and biology, offering hope for treating a wide range of conditions.
This paper (DOI: 10.1109/TUFFC.2025.3570813) was written by Filip Ivanovski, Vid Jazbec, Nina Varda, Roman Jerala and Mojca Benčina, they are all part of the Kemijski Inštitut and some are also part of the CTGCT. If you would like to be part of a team that focus on translating innovative research into novel therapies for rare disease and cancer, don’t hesitate to contact us or check our available positions.