Speaker
Description
In recent years, increasing attention has been directed towards the possible biological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), particularly regarding their interaction with molecular and cellular components. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, specifically TRPM8, have emerged as key candidates due to their roles in thermosensation and cellular signaling and a potential involvement of RF-EMFs in modulating TRPM8 activity has been observed. However, direct structural observations require sophisticated and costly methodologies. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations represent a cutting-edge computational approach, providing deep insights into biomolecular conformational changes under external stimuli, thus complementing experimental studies and reducing the need for costly laboratory techniques.
This study employs MD simulations to investigate the interaction of a 26 GHz RF-EMF with the TRPM8 ion channel in a lipid bilayer with an electric filed intensity of 5×107 V/m. A rigorous multi-step approach ensured accurate molecular modeling and simulation. Comparative analyses under RF exposure and control conditions revealed that while TRPM8 remains structurally stable, RF-EMF induces specific modifications in the activation gate region, suggesting a potential modulatory effect on ion channel function. Although subtle, these changes warrant further investigation to understand the biological implications of RF exposure, especially in the context of 5G technology.
