# WEB-028 — 60 GHz: gene expression, DNA folding and collagen deposition

Why this matters
Skin cells do more than form a barrier: they maintain and repair the tissue around them. This experiment found changes in that work after repeated 60 GHz exposure. It gives us specific molecular responses to investigate, while leaving open whether they persist or matter at lower exposures.

Id: WEB-028

Author: Lawler et al.

Full Authors: Nicholas B Lawler; Cameron W Evans; Sergii Romanenko; Nutan Chaudhari; Mark Fear; Fiona Wood; Nicole M Smith; Vincent P Wallace; K Swaminathan Iyer

Year: 2022

Title: Millimeter waves alter DNA secondary structures and modulate the transcriptome in human fibroblasts

Journal: Biomedical optics express

Citation: Nicholas B Lawler; Cameron W Evans; Sergii Romanenko; Nutan Chaudhari; Mark Fear; Fiona Wood; Nicole M Smith; Vincent P Wallace; K Swaminathan Iyer. Millimeter waves alter DNA secondary structures and modulate the transcriptome in human fibroblasts. Biomedical optics express. 2022. doi:10.1364/boe.458478.

Doi: 10.1364/boe.458478

Pmid: 35774325

Topic: 60 GHz-region biological responses; DNA secondary structures; Fibroblast matrix responses

Verification Group: Original text reviewed

Record Role: Original text reviewed

Featured: False

Exposure: 60 GHz; spatial-average 2.6 mW/cm²; raster scanning 5 h/day for 2 or 4 days (46.8 J/cm²/day).

Design: Primary human dermal fibroblasts; sham scanning and TGF-β comparator; RNA sequencing, microscopy and temperature measurements/modelling.

Finding: 255 differentially expressed genes (FDR <0.05), increased collagen deposition and altered G-quadruplex/i-motif DNA structures. No increase in γH2AX DNA-damage signal.

Statistics: See the original results; effect sizes were not independently recalculated.

Boundary: Two biological RNA-sequencing replicates. High cumulative exposure; cells scanned at room temperature. Negligible measured bulk heating does not resolve every local transient temperature change. DNA folding is not DNA breakage.

Related: Shares researchers with the 60 GHz sensory-neuron programme; different experiments.

Protection Question: Which exposure conditions reproduce this finding, and what would establish its relevance beyond the experimental model?

Access: Original methods/results and interpretation reviewed; raw data and supplements were not independently audited.

Locator: Original methods and results

Notice: Linked Europe PMC/PubMed notice fields checked 21 October 2026; no correction/retraction surfaced for this record. Publisher/citation screening is not exhaustive.

Funding: Australian Research Council; National Health and Medical Research Council. See original grant details.

Conflicts: Authors report no competing interests/conflicts; declaration checked, not independently audited.

Source Url: https://doi.org/10.1364/boe.458478

Retrieval Links: https://doi.org/10.1364/boe.458478 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35774325/ | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9203081/

Verification Date: 2026-10-21

Discovery Id: TARGETED-20261021-01

Technology Tracks: wigig|millimetre

Technology Connection: 60 GHz-region or adjacent-band biology; not an experiment with a WiGig device and not evidence of an oxygen-deprivation mechanism.

Publication Type: Original journal research

Study Setting: Cells / isolated tissue

Browse Categories: cells