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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

DNA & Genetic Damage

Microarray gene expression profiling of a human glioblastoma cell line exposed in vitro to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field.

No Effects Found

Qutob SS, Chauhan V, Bellier PV, Yauk CL, Douglas GR, Berndt L, Williams A, Gajda GB, Lemay E, Thansandote A, McNamee JP. · 2006

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Brain cancer cells showed no gene expression changes after 4-hour RF exposure up to 10 W/kg, though longer-term effects remain unstudied.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human brain cancer cells (glioblastoma) to 1.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation for 4 hours at power levels ranging from very low to quite high (0.1 to 10 W/kg SAR). They found no changes in gene expression at any exposure level, while heat treatment successfully triggered expected cellular stress responses. This suggests that RF fields at these levels don't alter how genes function in these particular brain cells.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.90 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.90 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 1.9 GHz Duration: 4h

Study Details

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF field for 4 h at specific absorption rates (SARs) of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 W/kg to affect global gene expression in U87MG glioblastoma cells.

We found no evidence that non-thermal RF fields can affect gene expression in cultured U87MG cells r...

Future studies will assess the effect of RF fields on other cell lines and on gene expression in the mouse brain after in vivo exposure.

Cite This Study
Qutob SS, Chauhan V, Bellier PV, Yauk CL, Douglas GR, Berndt L, Williams A, Gajda GB, Lemay E, Thansandote A, McNamee JP. (2006). Microarray gene expression profiling of a human glioblastoma cell line exposed in vitro to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field. Radiat Res. 165(6):636-644, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{ss_2006_microarray_gene_expression_profiling_3316,
  author = {Qutob SS and Chauhan V and Bellier PV and Yauk CL and Douglas GR and Berndt L and Williams A and Gajda GB and Lemay E and Thansandote A and McNamee JP.},
  title = {Microarray gene expression profiling of a human glioblastoma cell line exposed in vitro to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field.},
  year = {2006},
  doi = {10.1667/RR3561.1.short},
  url = {https://bioone.org/journals/radiation-research/volume-165/issue-6/RR3561.1/Microarray-Gene-Expression-Profiling-of-a-Human-Glioblastoma-Cell-Line/10.1667/RR3561.1.short},
}
DOI: 10.1667/RR3561.1.short

Quick Questions About This Study

No, a 2006 study found that 1.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation had no effect on gene expression in human glioblastoma brain cancer cells. Researchers exposed cells for 4 hours at various power levels (0.1 to 10 W/kg SAR) and detected no genetic changes, while heat treatment successfully triggered expected stress responses.
Research shows pulse-modulated 1.9 GHz radiofrequency fields do not alter genetics in brain tumor cells. Scientists exposed human glioblastoma cells to pulsed RF radiation for 4 hours at multiple power levels and found no changes in gene expression, suggesting these fields don't affect how genes function in brain cancer cells.
A 2006 glioblastoma study tested SAR levels from 0.1 to 10 W/kg using 1.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation. Researchers exposed human brain cancer cells for 4 hours at these various power levels and found no effects on gene expression at any SAR level, while positive heat controls worked as expected.
No, non-thermal radiofrequency fields don't affect U87MG brain cell gene expression. A 2006 study exposed these human glioblastoma cells to 1.9 GHz radiation for 4 hours at multiple power levels and found no genetic changes, while 43°C heat treatment successfully activated stress-responsive genes in control groups.
The 2006 glioblastoma study used 4-hour radiofrequency exposures at 1.9 GHz. Researchers exposed human brain cancer cells to pulse-modulated RF fields at various power levels (0.1-10 W/kg SAR) for this duration and found no changes in gene expression, demonstrating no genetic effects from the radiation.