Terahertz Modulation of Biomolecular Dynamics: Physical Mechanisms, Biological Implications, and Future Challenges.
- 1Terahertz Biomedical Interdisciplinary Joint Research Center, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.
- 2Air Force Characteristic Medical Center, Air Force Medical University, Beijing 100142, China.
Abstract
With the rapid expansion of terahertz (THz) technologies across communications, imaging, sensing, and biomedicine, defining their biological effects, safety boundaries, and controlled intervention has become a critical scientific priority for their responsible deployment. Although diverse biological responses have been observed at different levels of biological organization, the findings are highly dependent on exposure parameters and biological models. Moreover, how molecular perturbations propagate across scales to produce higher-order biological effects remains poorly understood. Because biomacromolecules and their hydration environments constitute the primary interface which THz radiation interacts with biological systems, elucidating THz bioeffects at the molecular scale is essential for mechanistic understanding. Here, we systematically review recent advances in THz interactions with key biological targets, including proteins, nucleic acids, ion channels, and biological membranes, and examine how local molecular perturbations translate into higher-level phenotypes. On this basis, we critically assess the major challenges facing the field and propose an integrative framework for mechanistic validation. By consolidating dispersed findings and emphasizing methodological standardization, this review provides a coherent conceptual basis for interpreting THz bioeffects and guiding their biomedical translation.
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BibTeX
@article{li2026terahertz,
title = {{Terahertz Modulation of Biomolecular Dynamics: Physical Mechanisms, Biological Implications, and Future Challenges.}},
author = {Xingrong Li and Zhihao Chen and Kang Ru and Wenhui Yang and Xuehao Wang and Lintao Huang and Baoshi Ping and Menglu Pi and Chunyu Zhu and Tingting Ren and Jingyao Dai and Ye Tian and Airong Qian},
journal = {Research (Washington, D.C.)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.34133/research.1432},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909246},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Terahertz Modulation of Biomolecular Dynamics: Physical Mechanisms, Biological Implications, and Future Challenges.
AU - Xingrong Li
AU - Zhihao Chen
AU - Kang Ru
AU - Wenhui Yang
AU - Xuehao Wang
AU - Lintao Huang
AU - Baoshi Ping
AU - Menglu Pi
AU - Chunyu Zhu
AU - Tingting Ren
AU - Jingyao Dai
AU - Ye Tian
AU - Airong Qian
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Research (Washington, D.C.)
DO - 10.34133/research.1432
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909246
AB - With the rapid expansion of terahertz (THz) technologies across communications, imaging, sensing, and biomedicine, defining their biological effects, safety boundaries, and controlled intervention has become a critical scientific priority for their responsible deployment. Although diverse biological responses have been observed at different levels of biological organization, the findings are highly dependent on exposure parameters and biological models. Moreover, how molecular perturbations propagate across scales to produce higher-order biological effects remains poorly understood. Because biomacromolecules and their hydration environments constitute the primary interface which THz radiation interacts with biological systems, elucidating THz bioeffects at the molecular scale is essential for mechanistic understanding. Here, we systematically review recent advances in THz interactions with key biological targets, including proteins, nucleic acids, ion channels, and biological membranes, and examine how local molecular perturbations translate into higher-level phenotypes. On this basis, we critically assess the major challenges facing the field and propose an integrative framework for mechanistic validation. By consolidating dispersed findings and emphasizing methodological standardization, this review provides a coherent conceptual basis for interpreting THz bioeffects and guiding their biomedical translation.
SN - 2639-5274
ER -