# Recent advancement of sonogenetics: A promising noninvasive cellular manipulation by ultrasound

## TL;DR

Sonogenetics is a noninvasive technique using ultrasound to control cells, offering new possibilities for treating diseases like cancer and neurological disorders.

## Contribution

This review provides a comprehensive overview of sonogenetics, highlighting its potential beyond neuromodulation.

## Key findings

- Sonogenetics uses ultrasound-sensitive proteins to trigger cellular activities with high spatial selectivity.
- The technique has potential applications in neurological disorders, cancer, ophthalmic diseases, and stem cell therapies.
- Sonogenetics offers a non-surgical alternative for cellular manipulation with improved precision and safety.

## Abstract

Recent advancements in biomedical research have underscored the importance of noninvasive cellular manipulation techniques. Sonogenetics, a method that uses genetic engineering to produce ultrasound-sensitive proteins in target cells, is gaining prominence along with optogenetics, electrogenetics, and magnetogenetics. Upon stimulation with ultrasound, these proteins trigger a cascade of cellular activities and functions. Unlike traditional ultrasound modalities, sonogenetics offers enhanced spatial selectivity, improving precision and safety in disease treatment. This technology broadens the scope of non-surgical interventions across a wide range of clinical research and therapeutic applications, including neuromodulation, oncologic treatments, stem cell therapy, and beyond. Although current literature predominantly emphasizes ultrasonic neuromodulation, this review offers a comprehensive exploration of sonogenetics. We discuss ultrasound properties, the specific ultrasound-sensitive proteins employed in sonogenetics, and the technique's potential in managing conditions such as neurological disorders, cancer, and ophthalmic diseases, and in stem cell therapies. Our objective is to stimulate fresh perspectives for further research in this promising field.