Volume 62, Issue 2 pp. 317-334
Review

Effects of Static and Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields on Gene Expression

Vitalii Zablotskii DrSc

Corresponding Author

Vitalii Zablotskii DrSc

Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

International Magnetobiology Frontier Research Center (iMFRC), Science Island, Hefei, China

Address reprint requests to: Vitalii Zablotskii, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Slovance 1999/2, 182 00 Prague 8, Czech Republic. E-mail: [email protected]

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Oksana Gorobets DrSc

Oksana Gorobets DrSc

Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kyiv, Ukraine

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Svitlana Gorobets DrSc

Svitlana Gorobets DrSc

Faculty of Biotechnology and Biotechnics, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kyiv, Ukraine

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Tatyana Polyakova Mgr

Tatyana Polyakova Mgr

Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

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First published: 29 January 2025
Citations: 3

Abstract

Substantial research over the past two decades has established that magnetic fields affect fundamental cellular processes, including gene expression. However, since biological cells and subcellular components exhibit diamagnetic behavior and are therefore subjected to very small magnetic forces that cannot directly compete with the viscoelastic and bioelectric intracellular forces responsible for cellular machinery functions, it becomes challenging to understand cell–magnetic field interactions and to reveal the mechanisms through which these interactions differentially influence gene expression in cells. The limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying biomagnetic effects has hindered progress in developing effective therapeutic applications of magnetic fields. This review examines the expanding body of literature on genetic events during static and low-frequency magnetic field exposure, focusing particularly on how changes in gene expression interact with cellular machinery. To address this, we conducted a systematic review utilizing extensive search strategies across multiple databases. We explore the intracellular mechanisms through which transcription functions may be modified by a magnetic field in contexts where other cellular signaling pathways are also activated by the field. This review summarizes key findings in the field, outlines the connections between magnetic fields and gene expression changes, identifies critical gaps in current knowledge, and proposes directions for future research.

Level of Evidence

NA

Technical Efficacy

Stage 4

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