Abstract
Progetto PRIN 2022 5G:SMILE Brief description of the project, aims and expected results The deployment of 5G mobile networks is significantly increasing wireless devices and transmitting antennas. This technology will also employ frequencies in the millimeter wave (mmW) range. Although sporadic adverse health effect has been causally linked to exposure to wireless technologies, the knowledge on possible effects of 5G signal exposure in the mmW range at cellular level is certainly insufficient at the moment. Aim of the project The aim of this proposal is to provide evidence for a possible cellular mechanism underneath the interaction between mmW and biological systems. The effect of 5G technology in Frequency Range 2 (FR2) (24.25-29.5 GHz) will be investigated on human skin cell cultures by linking the cellular response to in silico experiments. The specific goals of the project are: 1) to develop and optimize good quality, highly reproducible, standardised exposure systems at FR2 band for real-time and bulk in vitro exposure, specifically designed and ad hoc realized following the criteria of good practice requirements; 2) to investigate the effect of both acute and chronic exposure on human skin cells (keratinocytes). The endpoints tested will be: TRPV ion channels function and intracellular Ca2+ concentration; induction of oxidative stress and DNA methylation; 3) to carry out in silico experiments based on molecular simulations to be linked to the results at cellular level. The fulfilment of the proposed goals relies upon the interdisciplinary character of the research teams, who share historical collaborations. The expected results will represent the premise to connect research to regulatory bodies (such as WHO and ICNIRP) in updating safety exposure standards to radiofrequency and microwave fields, including 5G mobile networks in the high carrier frequency band. The project is organised in 5 Work Packages: WP1 - Management and dissemination of results WP2 - Standardization of 5G exposure systems WP3 - Exposure systems set up WP4 – Cellular effects of FR2 5G exposure on human keratinocytes WP5 - In silico simulations modeling the EM interaction Four Units are involved, covering the following activities: Unit 1 (CNR-IREA): Coordination of the project. Exposure in the FR2 band of human keratinocyte cultures to investigate the induction of oxidative stress; Unit 2 (UNIROMA1): Optimization of exposure systems for electrophysiological recordings. Microdosimetric modeling of cells and fully atomistic simulations of transmembrane and cytosol proteins; Unit 3 (UNICAS): Design, realization and test of an exposure system suitable to expose biological samples in the FR2 5G under strictly controlled dosimetric conditions. Optimization of exposure systems for bulk measurements in incubator; Unit 4 (UNIBO): Exposure in the FR2 band of human keratinocyte cultures, to investigate the effect on TRPV ion channels function, intracellular Ca2+ concentration and DNA methylation. Expected results The results obtained by evaluating the proposed endpoints will allow us to confirm or discard the hypothesized interaction mechanisms of FR2 exposure. Although we are aware that the hypothesis here tested also involves alterations of apoptosis pathways, we will not address it in this proposal. Nevertheless, the results of the present project will be complemented by those obtained in the framework of the ongoing EU funder project (NextGEM) where the effect on apoptosis will be specifically investigated under the same experimental conditions.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Giorgio Aicardi
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Qualità della Vita
Coordinatore:
CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche(Italy)
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 50.118,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
28/09/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
