BSI Research Units

Cellular Neuroscience Research Unit

Unit Leader: Prof. Andrew Wood

Introduction:

The Cellular Neuroscience group study processes related to neural function at the tissue or the cellular level. There is a particular focus on the interaction of electrical currents and electromagnetic fields (EMF) on these processes, particularly where this relates to possible adverse effects of fields from powerlines or mobile phones. The use of magnetic fields to stimulate nerves and the measurement of magnetic fields produced by electric currents within the body are also studied.

It is important to demonstrate that under particular circumstances of human exposure to EMF the relevant safety standards are adhered to. Using mathematical modelling techniques, the specific induced current or electromagnetic energy within the body is predicted and compared to experimental determinations. This work is carried out in conjunction with the Telstra Radiofrequency Laboratory, located at Swinburne

Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory

The Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory at Swinburne University of Technology is the focus for experiments involving practical .

The Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory is one of the participating laboratories of the Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR) funded by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

This designated Centre for Research Excellence consists of groups from Swinburne University of Technology, RMIT University , Monash University , the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS) in Adelaide , and the Telstra Research Laboratory. This centre commenced in March 2004 for an initial five-year period.

Key Members

Name: Dr. Yuen (Linda) Chen
Role in Unit: Post Doctoral Research Associate

Name : Vladimir Dubaj
Role in Unit: Research Associate/ Neuroscience

Name: Teddy Kurniawan
Role in Unit: PhD. Student - Modelling

Name: Dr. Per Line
Role in Unit: Associate

Name: Blake Orr
Role in Unit: MSc Student

Human Volunteer Studies Group

Associate Professor Rodney Croft, Brain Sciences Institute

Sarah Loughran

Dr Bruce Thompson,
Benchmark Healthcare Group, Mitcham Private Hospital

Dr Hassan Sadafi,
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Current Research:

Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory - Facilities

in vitro studies

The Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory equipped with an Optiscan F900e Fibre Optic Confocal Microscope and an Olympus epi-fluorescence/DIC Microscope. In addition, the Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory also equipped with cell cultures facilities. Therefore, we are expertise in cell morphology, live cells/tissues imaging, detecting GFP expression in cells/tissues and 3D images reconstruction.

 Human volunteer studies

These studies are carried out in collaboration with the Swinburne Centre for Neuropsychology, the Brain Sciences Institute and with Mitcham Private Hospital, Melbourne .

The possible effects of mobile radiation on human cognitive function and sleep patterns use standard Nokia mobile phones together with software supplied by the manufacturers which is used to set the phones in a standard pattern of emission of electromagnetic energy. In phones in normal use this emission rises and falls depending on the proximity to a phone base station and whether the user is talking or listening.

Cognitive function is measured using a NeuroscanT 64-channel electrophysiological workstation. Sleep parameters are recorded using the Compumedics E-series system. This consists of up to 15 channels of up to 500 samples/sec acquisition rate. Complete overnight data is stored on CD ROM in portable EDF format. Additional analysis is carried out using MatlabT.

Modelling studies

Modelling of induced electrical currents at radiofrequencies, terahertz frequencies and at ELF is carried out using Max-1T. The Max-1 platform (available from J Wiley, Chichester , UK ) provides a number of solvers using numeric, semi-analytic and analytic methods to solve electromagnetic problems. Advanced tools allow visualisation of field solutions such as vector plots and animation to enhance understanding of the solution. The three componesnt of this platform are: Generalised Finite Difference (GFD) (2-D and 3-D) scheme; Multiple Multipole Program (MMP) scheme and formula interprester scheme for analytic solutions. This platform is augmented by MatlabT

Radiofrequency (RF) Dosimetry Laboratory

This is part of the Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (www.acbr.org ). The RF Dosimetry Laboratory is a joint Telstra Corporation/Swinburne initiative, opened in 2007. This facility follows rigorous experimental protocols for estimating absorption of electromagnetic energy in the human body. It also uses several sophisticated software platforms to simulate these processes of energy absorption. One of the most vulnerable regions of the human body is the brain, which is the focus of research undertaken by members of the Cellular Neuroscience group, particularly in regard to energy absorption in small regions of tissue immediately adjacent to mobile phone handsets

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) studies

TMS is increasingly used in the diagnosis of neurological disorders and also in therapeutic interventions for diseases such as major depression. It is important to have a clear understanding of the pattern of induced electrical currents produced in brain tissue by this form of stimulation. There are three approaches being undertaken by the Cellular Neuroscience group:

Computation of induced currents using sophisticated software with realistic models of the human head

Simulation studies, measuring induced electric fields and currents in tissue phantoms

The monitoring of cellular changes in TMS applied to tissue samples such as rat hippocampal slices, using fluorescent microscopy and other approaches

Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic field safety studies

ELF fields in the environment due to the transmission, distribution and use of electric power have been shown to have a weak association with childhood leukaemia. In the short term, ELF fields can cause neurostimulation and synaptic effects in the retina of the eye. International standards for protection require a detailed understanding of these processes. Some of the uncertainties in this understanding are leading to an approach which is so conservative as to apparently restrict the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging by medical personnel. The Cellular Neuroscience Group are undertaking detailed analyses of the influence of ELF fields on neural tissue, especially where this impinges on MRI practice.

Grants Received

Current:

Research Director/Investigator with Centre for Research Excellence in Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy. NHMRC $2,499,200 for 5 years (Consortium involving RMIT, Swinburne, Monash, Institute for Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide & Telstra Research Laboratory (2004 – 2008). $336,000 of this is for projects under my direct supervision.

Past:

Chief Investigator (with others from RMIT, Melbourne Uni). Multi-functional microscopy laboratory. ARC LIEF. $110,000 (2005)

Wood, A., Stough, C.K.K. Human Physiological Responses to Exposure to Mobile Phone-Type Radiation. NHMRC Strategic Reserve Fund. $213,600 for 3 years (2001-2003, extended)

Wood, A., Wallace, J.G. The role of calcium signalling within neuronal-associated glial cells and its relationship to endothelial cells. Swinburne Chancellor's Strategic Initiatives Fund. $210,000 for 3 years (2000 – 2002, extended)

Wood, A., Xue, C Modelling of induced currents in the foetus of the pregnant worker in high-voltage work. Three electrical utilities: $15,000 for 1 year (2003)

Wood, A., Paddle-Ledinek J. The effects of electric and magnetic fields on keratinocyte monolayer growth patterns. ARC Small: $10,500 for 1 year (1999)

Wood, A. Measurement and Modelling of induced current in workers involved in high-voltage work. Swinburne University Collaborative Research Grants Seeding Scheme. $22,000 (including industry contributions) (2000)

Stough, C., Wood, A. 900 MHz radiation on human neuropsychological responses. NHMRC: $73,000 for 18 months (1998)

Mazzolini, A., Wood, A. Novel optical probes for fluorescent imaging. ARC SPIRT: $102,400 for 3 years (including industrial contribution) (1999-2001)

Wood, A., Armstrong, S., Martin, M. Mathematical modelling of human plasma melatonin. ARC Small: $5,400 for 1 year (1998)

Wood, A. (& others) Two-photon excitation for Confocal Microscopy. Swinburne University Chancellor's Research & Development Fund: $70,500 for 3 years (1998)

Wood, A. Microwave Fields on Living Cells. Telstra Fellowship: $33,000 for 3 years. (1998)

Wood, A. & Armstrong, S.M. Effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on human plasma melatonin. Australian Electricity Supply Industry Research Board ($104,000 + $6,000 'in kind') (1995-1996)

Wood, A.. Effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on human heart rate variability. Australian Electricity Supply Industry Research Board ($32,400 + $6,000 'in kind') (1997)

Wood, A., Joyner, K. Effects of RF radiation on cell function (confocal microscope project) Telstra Research Laboratories ($65,000 + equipment donation $580,000 + 'in kind' $150,000) (1993-2000)

Wood, A Confocal Microscopy for in vivo cell function. Swinburne Research & Development Fund ($36,000) (1996-1997)

Key Publications

Anderson, V., Davidson, L., Joyner, K.H., Wood, A.W. & Macdonell, R.(1999): Nerve conduction velocity and mobile phones. In: Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine Ed.: F Bersani. Plenum: New York: 749-752

Burkitt G.R., Silberstein, R.B., Cadusch, P.J., Wood, A.W. (2000). Steady state visual evoked potentials and travelling waves. Clinical Neurophysiology 111: 246-258.

Burkitt G.B., Silberstein R.B., Wood A.W. (2000): The Steady State Visual Evoked Response and Estimates of Phase Velocity. Aine, C., Okada, Y., Stroink, G., Swithenby, S, Wood, C. (Eds.) Advances in Biomagnetism Research: Biomag 96, Springer-Verlag, New York. Pp 717-720

Cranfield, C.G., Wood, A.W., Anderson, V., Menezes, K.G. (2001) Effects of Mobile-Phone type Signals on Calcium Levels within Human Leukaemic T-cells (Jurkat Cells). Int J Radiat Biol 77: 1207-1217.

Dubaj, V., Mazzolini, A. P., Wood, A. W., Harris, M. (2002) Optic fibre bundle contact imaging probe employing a laser scanning confocal microscope. J Microscopy 207: 108-177

Graham, C., Mild, K.H., Cook, M.R., Wood, A.W. (1998): Clinical Studies and Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. In: EMF Science Review Symposium: Breakout Group Reports for Clinical and In Vivo Laboratory Findings. Eds.: M. S. Wolfe, C. J. Portier. NIEHS pp 15-33

Hamblin, D.L., Wood, A.W. (2002) Effects of mobile phone emissions on human brain activity and sleep variables. Int J Radiat Biol 78: 659-669

Hamblin, D.L., Wood, A.W., Croft, R.J., Stough, C. (2004). Examining the effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM phones on human event-related potentials and performance during an auditory task. Clin Neurophysiol 115: 171-178

 Hamblin, D.L., Croft, R.J., Wood, A.W., Stough, C., Spong, J. (2006) The sensitivity of human event-related potentials to mobile phone emitted electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics 27: 265-273:

Keetley, V. Wood, A.W., Spong, J., Stough, C. (2006) Cognitive effects of digital mobile phones on humans. Neuropsychologia 44: 1843-1848:

Keetley, V., Wood, A., Sadafi, H., Stough, C. (2001). Neuropsychological sequelae of 50 Hz magnetic fields. Int. J. Radiat. Biol 77: 735-742

Loughran, S.P., Wood, A.W., Barton, J.M., Croft, R.J., Thompson, B., Stough, C. (2005) The effect of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on human sleep. Neuroreport 16: 1973-1976

Sadafi, H.A., Cadusch, P.J., Wood, A.W. (2005) Real-time recording of neuropsychophysiological parameters during 50 Hz magnetic field exposure Austral Phys Eng Sci Med 28: 43-50

 Sait, M.L, Wood, A.W., Kirsner, R.L.G. (2006) Effects of 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on human heart rate variability with passive tilting. Physiol Meas 27:73-83

Sait, M.L. & Wood, A.W. (1999): Human heart rate changes in response to 50 Hz sinusoidal and square waveform magnetic fields. In: Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine Ed.: F Bersani. Plenum: New York: 517-520

Sait, M.L., Wood A.W., Sadafi (1999). A study of heart rate and heart rate variability in human subjects exposed to occupational levels of 50 Hz circularly polarised magnetic fields. Medical Engineering & Physics 21: 361-369 

Thompson, C.J., Yang, Y.S., Anderson, V., Wood, A.W. (2000). A cooperative model for Ca++ -efflux windowing from cell membranes exposed to electromagnetic radiation. Bioelectromagnetics 21: 455-464

Thompson, C.J., Yang, Y.S., Wood, A.W. (2001). A mathematical model for the human melatonin rhythm. Physica A 296: 293-306. 

Wood, A.W., Cadusch, P.J. (2005) Cell calcium oscillations –the origin of their variability. Med Biol Engng Comput 43: 200-205

Wood A.W., Armstrong S.M., Sait M.L., Devine L., Martin M. J. (1998) Changes in human plasma melatonin profiles in response to 50 Hz magnetic field exposure. J Pineal Research 25:116-127

 Wood, A.W., Loughran, S.P., Stough, C. (2006). Does early evening exposure to mobile phone radiation affect subsequent melatonin production? Int J Radiat Biol 82: 69-76

Wood, A.W. (2006). How dangerous are mobile phones, transmission lines and electricity pylons? Arch Diseases Childh: 91: 361-366

Wood, A.W. (2006) Non ionising radiation. In Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering (Metin Akay, Ed). 6 volume set, (ISBN: 0-471-24967-X) J Wiley, Hoboken NY. 10pp

Wood, A.W. (2006) Non ionising radiation. In Encyclopedia of Medical Devices and Instrumentation (John G Webster, Ed), 6 volume set, 2nd Edn (ISBN: 0-471-26358-3). J Wiley, Hoboken NY. 10pp

Wood, A.W., Hamblin, D.L., Croft, R.J. (2003). The use of a ‘phantom head' to assess the possible direct pickup of mobile phone handset emissions by EEG electrode leads. Med Biol Engng Comput 41: 470-472

Xue, C., Wood, A.W., Dovan, T. (2004) Induced current density in the foetus of pregnant workers in high magnetic field environments Austral Phys Eng Sci Med 27: 199-206

Yang, Y.S., Thompson, C.J., Anderson, V., Wood, A.W. (1999) A model of cell membrane ion channels interacting with electric fields: the mean-field approximation. Physica A 268: 424-432.

Work with Community and Affiliates

Dr. Andrew Wood is a member of the Radiation Health Committee, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and has undertaken short-term assignments with the World Health Organization in areas of non-ionising radiation protection.

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