Effects of 2.45 GHz EMF-RF Wi-Fi exposure on ATU1 Expression and Replication of Tetrahymena Thermophila

Abstract

Our experiment explored whether 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi affected expression of the ATU1 gene in Tetrahymena thermophila. Our hypothesis was that exposure to Wi-Fi would result in a decrease in expression of the ATU1 gene. The protein product of this gene functions in the formation of alpha tubulin formation, which is essential for motility. We chose this experiment to see if the use of Wi-Fi may have a detrimental effect on cellular motility. Our test samples were exposed to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for one week at varying distances from the router. Afterwards, the transcribed mRNA was reverse transcribed into DNA and primers were used to amplify the ATU1 gene. Semi-quantitative PCR was then used to analyze expression of the ATU1 gene. Our prediction was that more exposure to Wi-Fi would decrease the expression of the ATU1 gene.