Researchers have developed a prototype for what they are calling ‘living bioelectronics’: a combination of living cells, gel, and electronics that can merge with living tissue. Experiments with mice showed that the devices were able to continuously monitor and improve psoriasis-like symptoms, without causing any skin irritation.
Prof. Bozhi Tian and his team have been working for years to figure out how to combine the rigid, metallic, and bulky world of electronics with the soft, flexible, and delicate world of the body.
In their most recent study, they have developed a prototype for what they are calling “living bioelectronics”: a combination of living cells, gel, and electronics that can integrate with living tissue.
focuses on the development of patches that combine living cells, gel, and electronics to integrate with living tissue. The patches consist of sensors, bacterial cells, and a gel made from starch and gelatin. Tests in mice have shown that these devices can continuously monitor and improve psoriasis-like symptoms without causing skin irritation.
According to Jiuyun Shi, the co-first author of the paper and a former PhD student in Tian’s lab (now with Stanford University), “This is a bridge from traditional bioelectronics, which incorporates living cells as part of the therapy.” Tian expressed excitement about the research, stating, “We’re very excited because it’s been a decade and a half in the making.”Researchers are hopeful that the principles discovered in the study can be applied to other areas of the body, such as cardiological or neural stimulation. The study was published on May 30 in Science.
An additional layer
Connecting electronics with the human body has always been challenging. While devices like pacemakers have greatly improved many lives, they also have drawbacks; electronics are typically bulky and rigid, and can lead to irritation.
However, Tian’s laboratory specializes in uncovering the basic principles of how living cells and tissues interact with synthetic materials; their previous research has involved a variety of investigations.
A small pacemaker that can be controlled using light and sturdy yet flexible materials that could be used for bone implants.
In this research, they took a different approach. Normally, bioelectronics consist of the electronics themselves, along with a soft layer to make them less irritating to the body.
However, Tian’s team wondered if they could enhance the capabilities by integrating a third component: living cells. The team was fascinated by the healing properties of certain bacteria like S. epidermidis, a microorganism that naturally resides on human skin and has been proven to reduce inflammation.
They developed a device with a unique design that allowed them to combine electronics, soft materials, and living cells.
With three components, the device consists of a thin, flexible electronic circuit with sensors, overlaid with a gel made from tapioca starch and gelatin, which mimics the softness of tissue. Additionally, S. epidermidis microbes are incorporated into the gel. When the device is placed on the skin, the bacteria produce compounds that can decrease inflammation, while the sensor monitors the skin for signals such as temperature and humidity. In tests with mice susceptible to psoriasis-like skin conditions, there was a noticeable reduction in symptoms. The initial tests ran for a week.The researchers are optimistic that the ABLE platform, or Active Biointegrated Living Electronics, can be utilized for at least six months. They propose that the treatment can be made more convenient by freeze-drying the device for storage and easily rehydrating it when needed.
Since the healing effects are provided by microbes, Saehyun Kim, the other co-first author of the paper and a current PhD student in Tian’s lab, likened it to a “living drug” that does not require refilling.
Aside from treating psoriasis, the scientists believe that the technology could also be used for patches to accelerate wound healing in patients with diabetes.The researchers are aiming to expand their approach to other types of tissues and cells, such as creating devices that produce insulin or interact with neurons. This has been a long-standing goal for Dr. Tian, who has been working on this concept since his postdoctoral research days 15 years ago. He explained, “We have made significant progress in understanding how cells interact with materials and the chemistry and physics of hydrogels, which has allowed us to make this leap.” Seeing this idea become a reality has been incredibly rewarding for the team.The researchers at the University of Chicago, along with scientists from Rutgers University and Columbia University, utilized the Soft Matter Characterization Facility and the Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility at the University of Chicago to conduct their work. They are also collaborating with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to bring their technology to the commercial market. “My passion has always been to push the boundaries of what is possible in science,” said Shi. “I hope our work could inspire the next generation of electronic designs.” Shi expressed gratitude for the support and resources that have made the project possible.
