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Optoelectronic control of single cells using organic photocapacitors
Marie Jakešová1, Malin Silverå Ejneby2, Vedran Đerek1,3
1Laboratory of Organic Electronics, ITN Campus Norrköping, Linköping University, SE-60221 Norrköping, Sweden.
Science Advances
|April 12, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed organic electrolytic photocapacitors (OEPCs) for optical cell stimulation. These devices enable precise, non-genetic control of cell electrophysiology, offering a stable and efficient solution for biomedical research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optogenetics
- Cellular Electrophysiology
Background:
- Optical control of cell electrophysiology is crucial for biomedical research and technology.
- Existing methods may have limitations in stability, efficiency, or genetic manipulation requirements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and characterize organic electrolytic photocapacitors (OEPCs) as novel extracellular electrodes for cell stimulation.
- To demonstrate the capability of OEPCs for non-genetic optical manipulation of cellular electrophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of OEPCs using transparent conductor layers and an organic photoconductor bilayer.
- Measurement of open-circuit voltage generation in physiological solution upon illumination (630–660 nm).
- Electrophysiological recordings on *Xenopus laevis* oocytes to assess photoinduced membrane potential changes and ion channel activity.
Main Results:
- OEPCs generated an open-circuit voltage of 330 mV upon illumination within the tissue transparency window.
- Photoinduced transient changes in membrane potential (20–110 mV) with rapid time constants (50 μs to 5 ms) were observed.
- Photoinduced opening of potassium channels was measured, confirming effective cell membrane depolarization by OEPCs.
Conclusions:
- OEPCs provide a versatile, non-genetic technique for optical manipulation of cell electrophysiology.
- OEPCs represent a simple, stable, and efficient solution for optical stimulation in biomedical applications.
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