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Related Experiment Videos

Tissue-adhesive hydrogel optical fiber for peripheral optogenetic neuromodulation.

Xingmei Chen1,2, Lulu Wang3,4, Chang Wang1

  • 1Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.

Nature Communications
|June 29, 2026
PubMed
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This summary is machine-generated.

New tissue-adhesive hydrogel optical fibers (TAHOFs) improve optogenetics by enhancing tissue adhesion and stable light delivery for precise control of organ function in moving animals.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Optogenetics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Hydrogel optical fibers are promising for optogenetics but suffer from poor tissue adhesion and unstable light delivery.
  • Physiological motion causes micromisplacement and off-target illumination, limiting their efficacy in moving subjects.
  • Developing robust, tissue-integrating optical fibers is crucial for advanced neuromodulation applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop novel tissue-adhesive hydrogel optical fibers (TAHOFs) for improved optogenetic applications.
  • To enhance optical confinement, mechanical stability, and tissue integration for visceral peripheral optogenetics.
  • To demonstrate the efficacy of TAHOFs in vivo for precise neuromodulation and physiological control.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Fabrication of TAHOFs with a poly(HEMA) light-guiding core and a bioadhesive cladding, achieving specific refractive index contrast.
  • Characterization of optical properties, including propagation loss, and mechanical properties, including tensile strain tolerance.
  • In vivo implantation in mice for optogenetic activation of pancreatic vagal fibers and assessment of glycemic control with continuous glucose monitoring.

    • Main Results:

    • TAHOFs demonstrated robust tissue integration (11.5 ± 1.8 kPa) and low optical propagation loss (0.534 ± 0.092 dB/cm).
    • Fibers maintained spatial targeting fidelity under 30% tensile strain and supported stable in vivo adhesion for up to 14 days.
    • Optogenetic activation via TAHOFs in mice triggered insulin secretion and enabled 3-day glycemic control in diabetic models.

    Conclusions:

    • TAHOFs offer a solution to the limitations of conventional hydrogel optical fibers for optogenetics.
    • The developed fibers provide efficient light delivery, mechanical compliance, and biological integration for dynamic organs.
    • TAHOFs represent a significant advancement for in vivo optogenetic neuromodulation in freely moving animals.