Blood-catalyzed n-doped polymers for reversible optical neural control

Area of Science:

• Bioelectronics
• Materials Science
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Biocompatible integration of synthetic materials with living tissue is a significant challenge in bioelectronics.
• Substrate-free conducting polymer (CP) interfaces offer a potential solution for bridging this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the in vivo assembly of n-doped poly(benzodifurandione) (n-PBDF) using whole blood-catalyzed polymerization.
• To demonstrate the utility of this CP interface for precise neuromodulation.

Main Methods:

• In vivo polymerization of n-PBDF catalyzed by endogenous hemoproteins in whole blood of zebrafish and mice.
• Electrophysiological studies to assess the impact of n-PBDF on neuronal excitability.
• Near-infrared (NIR) light stimulation to modulate neuronal activity.

Main Results:

• Stable, thermally and ionically sensitive CP networks were formed in vivo, ensuring long-term biocompatibility.
• n-PBDF altered intrinsic sodium ion channel excitability.
• NIR light stimulation amplified modulation via thermoionic-induced shunting, achieving on-demand, millisecond-scale reversible inhibitory control of excitability in behaving mice.

Conclusions:

• Whole blood-catalyzed in vivo polymerization provides a novel method for creating biocompatible conducting polymer interfaces.
• This approach enables precise, light-controlled neuromodulation with potential applications in advanced bioelectronics and neuroscience research.