# WEB-035 — 18 GHz: bacterial uptake of externally supplied DNA

Why this matters
This research did not stop with observing a membrane change: it tested whether supplied genetic material could enter bacteria and function there. It is a concrete biological interaction worth understanding, conducted at intensities far above ambient communications exposure.

Id: WEB-035

Author: Perera et al.

Full Authors: Palalle G Tharushi Perera; Denver P Linklater; Zoltan Vilagosh; The Hong Phong Nguyen; Eric Hanssen; Sergey Rubanov; Steve Wanjara; Bari Aadum; Rebecca Alfred; Chaitali Dekiwadia; Saulius Juodkazis; Rodney Croft; Elena P Ivanova

Year: 2024

Title: Genetic Transformation of Plasmid DNA into Escherichia coli Using High Frequency Electromagnetic Energy

Journal: Nano letters

Citation: Palalle G Tharushi Perera; Denver P Linklater; Zoltan Vilagosh; The Hong Phong Nguyen; Eric Hanssen; Sergey Rubanov; Steve Wanjara; Bari Aadum; Rebecca Alfred; Chaitali Dekiwadia; Saulius Juodkazis; Rodney Croft; Elena P Ivanova. Genetic Transformation of Plasmid DNA into Escherichia coli Using High Frequency Electromagnetic Energy. Nano letters. 2024. doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03464.

Doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03464

Pmid: 38194429

Topic: 18 GHz cellular experiments; Membrane permeability; Genetic-material uptake

Verification Group: Original abstract reviewed

Record Role: Original abstract reviewed

Featured: False

Exposure: 18 GHz; 5.6–30 kW/m² for 180 s; temperatures 30–40°C.

Design: E. coli JM109 supplied with pGLO plasmid; fluorescence, flow cytometry and cryogenic electron microscopy.

Finding: Approximately 90.7% of treated viable bacteria expressed the plasmid-associated fluorescence, supporting successful genetic transformation.

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

Boundary: Original abstract only; full methods and thermal comparisons not audited. Externally supplied plasmid uptake is not mutation, DNA damage or demonstrated harm. Laboratory intensities cannot be equated with satellite reception.

Related: RMIT/Swinburne membrane programme; distinct experiment from the PC12 localisation study. Related publication records: WEB-034, WEB-036.

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

Access: Original abstract and bibliographic identity reviewed; full methods, dosimetry and statistics not audited.

Locator: Original abstract

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: Not established from the retrieved original abstract.

Conflicts: Not established from the retrieved original abstract.

Source Url: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03464

Retrieval Links: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03464 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38194429/

Verification Date: 2026-10-21

Discovery Id: TARGETED-20261021-08

Technology Tracks: satellite

Technology Connection: 18 GHz overlaps frequencies used for some satellite links. This is a laboratory membrane experiment, with different intensity, geometry and waveform from satellite exposure.

Publication Type: Original journal research

Study Setting: Cells / isolated tissue

Browse Categories: cells