Abstract
Magnetically sensitive ion channels would allow researchers to better study how specific brain cells affect behavior in freely moving animals; however, recent reports of “magnetogenetic” ion channels have been questioned because known biophysical mechanisms cannot explain experimental observations. Here we show that magnetic fields can produce a change in the magnetic entropy of biogenic nanoparticles, which in turn may generate sufficient heat to gate temperature-sensitive ion channels. This magnetocaloric effect provides a rational approach for developing future magnetogenetic channels.
Copyright
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