Figure 4: The mind-controlled electro-optogenetic interface.
From: Mind-controlled transgene expression by a wireless-powered optogenetic designer cell implant
(a,b) Biofeedback-controlled transgene expression switch in HEK-293T cells transgenic for DGCL (pSO4, PhCMV-DGCL-pA), STING (pSTING) and PIFN(ACD+)-driven SEAP expression (pSO3, PIFN(ACD+)-SEAP-pA). (a) A human subject wearing an EEG headset, which captured brain-wave activities (raw input (μV)) and identified mental state-specific electrical patterns as discrete meditation-meter values (0–100), intentionally trained his/her mindset to maintain the biofeedback-derived meditation-meter value below (meditation-meter value low) or above (meditation-meter value high) a threshold value of 90 (dotted red line) by following the meditation-meter value displayed on the LCD computer screen in a biofeedback-controlled manner in real time. (b) Mind-controlled biofeedback-derived meditation-meter values above 90 triggered NIR light illumination of the engineered HEK-293T cells and programmed the optogenetic device of these designer cells to express SEAP. Meditation-meter values below 90 did not illuminate the designer cells, resulting in basal SEAP expression comparable to that of isogenic control HEK-293T populations deficient in DGCL expression. (c,d) Mental states, such as concentration and meditation, controlled the transgene expression in HEK-293T cells transgenic for DGCL (pSO4, PhCMV-DGCL-pA), STING (pSTING) and PIFN(ACD+)-driven SEAP expression (pSO3, PIFN(ACD+)-SEAP-pA). (c) A human subject wearing an EEG headset, which captured brain-wave activities (raw input (μV)) and identified mental state-specific electrical patterns as discrete meditation-meter values (0–100), generated mental states, such as concentration (computer gaming) and meditation (relaxation), without visual inspection of the displayed meditation-meter values (no biofeedback). The subject’s mental state maintained the meditation-meter value below (concentration) or above (meditation) a threshold value of 80 (dotted red line). (d) Whenever the mental state drove the meditation-meter value above a threshold of 80, the BCI triggered an NIR light pulse that illuminated the engineered HEK-293T cells. The designer cells integrated the NIR light pulses and produced a sustained high (meditation) or low (concentration) SEAP expression response. Isogenic non-illuminated HEK-293T populations and designer cells deficient in DGCL expression were used as negative controls. Data are mean±s.d.; statistics by two-tailed t-test; n=6. ***P<0.001.
