Cellular effects of terahertz waves

Abstract

Overview

The abstract discusses the importance of understanding the biological effects of exposure to terahertz (THz) radiation, a growing field due to advances in THz biophotonics. It stresses the limited knowledge about the safe limits of THz exposure, which is crucial considering its potential applications in medical diagnosis and therapy.

Findings

• Approach: The paper starts with a general assessment of THz wave interactions with tissue and the mechanisms of action at different biological systems — including molecular, cellular, and organismal levels.
• Results: The summary emphasizes the current understanding and gaps in knowledge regarding the impact of THz radiation on living systems, identifying the necessity of further research to develop safe exposure limits and evaluating the effectiveness and safety of THz applications in medicine.

Conclusion

The findings highlight a critical gap in our comprehensive understanding of THz radiation effects on biological systems. This review supports the necessity for ongoing research to develop THz safety standards and therapeutic applications, and exemplifies the dual potential for therapeutic applications and the need to establish safe exposure levels.