In Vivo Organic Bioelectronics for Neuromodulation

Abstract

The nervous system poses a grand challenge for integration with modern electronics and the subsequent advances in neurobiology, neuroprosthetics, and therapy which would become possible upon such integration. Due to its extreme complexity, multifaceted signaling pathways, and ∼1 kHz operating frequency, modern complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) based electronics appear to be the only technology platform at hand for such integration. However, conventional CMOS-based electronics rely exclusively on electronic signaling and therefore require an additional technology platform to translate electronic signals into the language of neurobiology. Organic electronics are just such a technology platform, capable of converting electronic addressing into a variety of signals matching the endogenous signaling of the nervous system while simultaneously possessing favorable material similarities with nervous tissue. In this review, we introduce a variety of organic material platforms and signaling modalities specifically designed for this role as “translator”, focusing especially on recent implementation in in vivo neuromodulation. We hope that this review serves both as an informational resource and as an encouragement and challenge to the field.

Photo-Electrochemical Stimulation of Neurons with Organic Donor-Acceptor Heterojunctions

“…Achilleas Savva, 1,2 Adel Hama, 1 Gabriel Herrera-López, 1 Nicola Gasparini, 3 Ludovico Migliaccio, 4 Malak Kawan, 1 Nadia Steiner, 1 Iain McCulloch, 3,5 Derya Baran, 5 Hubert Fiumelli, 1 Pierre Magistretti, 1 Eric D. Głowacki, 4 and Sahika Inal…”

“…Biomedical engineering concepts that use light to control cellular activity have been widely used in clinical practice in different medical fields, such as oncology 1 and ophthalmology 2 . Recent advancements in light-responsive, biocompatible materials unlock new concepts, spanning from artificial vision 3 to wireless stimulation of the nervous system, 4 as well as tissue regeneration via phototherapy. 5 In general, using exogenous functional materials to selectively manipulate cell activity is considered a less risky approach compared to optogenetics.…”

Polythiophene-mediated light modulation of membrane potential and calcium signalling in human adipose-derived stem/stromal cells

“…Even more, very limited consideration has been devoted, so far, to combining the advantages of electrical and optical stimulation in the field of regenerative medicine, through the selection of suitable light sensitive and photo-electrically active functional materials. [20][21][22][23][24] In this work, we originally explore this possibility, by employing a prototype semiconducting polymer, namely regio-regular poly-3hexyl-thiophene (P3HT), characterized by optimal cytocompatibility, excellent photostability, and good photoconduction properties in an aqueous environment. 25,26 In particular, we explore the possibility to modulate the physiological response of hASC upon photoexcitation, as a first preliminary step towards the creation of novel tools for driving the differentiation path with unprecedented versatility and operational easiness.…”

“…Even more, very limited consideration has been devoted, so far, to combining the advantages of electrical and optical stimulation in the field of regenerative medicine, through the selection of suitable light sensitive and photo-electrically active functional materials. 20–24…”

Bidirectional modulation of neuronal excitability via ionic actuation of potassium

“…The possible strategies to accomplish neuromodulation are manifold and reflect the plethora of physiological actors that determine neural activity. Chemical methods involve the release of neurotransmitters such as GABA or glutamate in the extracellular microenvironment [3]. Electrical methods rely on the injection of electric currents in the nervous tissue through electrodes [4].…”