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Published on: October 29, 2012
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
Summary
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:
- 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.
