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Effects of 940 MHz EMF on Luciferase Solution: Structure, Function, and Dielectric Studies.

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Sefidbakht Y, Hosseinkhani S, Mortazavi M, Tavakkolnia I, Khellat MR, Shakiba-Herfeh M, Saviz M, Faraji-Dana R, Saboury AA, Sheibani N, Moosavi-Movahedi AA. · 2013

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Mobile phone frequencies directly altered protein structure and function, proving EMF can modify fundamental biological processes at the molecular level.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Iranian researchers exposed luciferase (a protein that produces light in fireflies) to 940 MHz electromagnetic fields similar to those from mobile phones. They found the EMF exposure significantly increased the protein's activity and changed its structure, making it less likely to clump together. This demonstrates that mobile phone frequencies can directly alter protein function at the molecular level.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that mobile phone frequencies can directly interact with proteins and alter their biological function. The researchers used luciferase as a model protein because its activity can be precisely measured, and the results show clear structural and functional changes after EMF exposure. What makes this particularly significant is that 940 MHz sits squarely within the frequency range used by mobile phones and wireless devices that surround us daily. The fact that EMF exposure enhanced protein activity rather than damaging it doesn't make the finding less concerning - it demonstrates that these fields are biologically active and can modify fundamental cellular processes. When proteins change their structure and function in response to EMF, it raises important questions about what other cellular proteins might be similarly affected during everyday wireless device use.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 940 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 940 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 940 MHz

Study Details

We designed a rectangular waveguide exposure system to study the effects of mobile phone frequency (940 MHz) electromagnetic fields (EMF) on luciferase structure and activity.

A microwave dielectric measurement was performed to study the hydration properties of luciferase sol...

The luciferase activity of exposed samples was significantly higher than that of unexposed samples. ...

Together, our results suggested that direct interactions with luciferase molecules and its dipole moment were responsible for the reduced aggregation and enhanced luciferase activity upon exposure to the EMF.

Cite This Study
Sefidbakht Y, Hosseinkhani S, Mortazavi M, Tavakkolnia I, Khellat MR, Shakiba-Herfeh M, Saviz M, Faraji-Dana R, Saboury AA, Sheibani N, Moosavi-Movahedi AA. (2013). Effects of 940 MHz EMF on Luciferase Solution: Structure, Function, and Dielectric Studies. Bioelectromagnetics. 2013 Apr 30. doi: 10.1002/bem.21792.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2013_effects_of_940_mhz_2577,
  author = {Sefidbakht Y and Hosseinkhani S and Mortazavi M and Tavakkolnia I and Khellat MR and Shakiba-Herfeh M and Saviz M and Faraji-Dana R and Saboury AA and Sheibani N and Moosavi-Movahedi AA. },
  title = {Effects of 940 MHz EMF on Luciferase Solution: Structure, Function, and Dielectric Studies. },
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23633149/},
}
PubMed: 23633149

Cited By (17 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, research shows cell phone radiation can alter protein function. A 2013 study found 940 MHz EMF exposure significantly increased luciferase protein activity and changed its structure, demonstrating that mobile phone frequencies directly affect proteins at the molecular level.
Yes, 940 MHz radiation affects cellular proteins. Iranian researchers discovered this frequency increased luciferase protein activity and reduced protein clumping by 57% compared to unexposed samples, showing direct molecular-level changes from mobile phone-type electromagnetic fields.
Mobile phone EMF can alter protein structure, though effects vary. Research found 940 MHz exposure changed luciferase protein structure, reducing aggregation and increasing activity. Whether these changes are harmful depends on the specific protein and biological context.
Cell phone radiation can impact enzyme activity and structure. A study showed 940 MHz EMF exposure significantly increased luciferase enzyme activity while reducing protein aggregation, demonstrating that mobile phone frequencies directly interact with enzyme molecules.
Phone radiation can alter protein structure and function, though damage isn't always the outcome. Research found 940 MHz EMF increased protein activity while changing molecular structure, suggesting complex interactions that may be beneficial or harmful depending on context.