Microwave opens pores in bacteria

It has long been debated whether microwave frequency exposure can affect bacterial cells independent of microwave -associated temperature increases.

Now, a team at Swinburne University of Technology has showed that when exposed to an 18 GHz radiofrequency electro- magnetic field, E. coli cells ingested sugar molecules from the solution surrounding them.

“This showed us that the microwave treatment was opening up pores in the bacterial cells, allowing sugar molecules to cross the cellular membrane,” Russell Crawford, who led the research, said.

By conducting the experiments at lower peak temperatures -between 20 and 40 degrees - the researchers were able show that it was a specific bioeffect caused by the electromagnetic field exposure, rather than high temperatures, which caused changes to the bacterial cells.

This also meant that the researchers were able to induce pores in the bacterial cells without causing any heat damage.

According to Professor Crawford, this has great potential for research and medical applications. “For instance, the pore-forming effect could help doctors deliver antibiotics to infection sites, such as open wounds or surfaces around medical implants,” he said.

“By focusing microwave treatment on the site, this would open up pores in the bacterial cells allowing the drugs to enter.

And because the microwave treatment would be done at a low temperature it wouldn’t damage any of the patient’s surrounding cells,” he wrote in the ‘Microbes’ journal.