Researchers at Linköping University have managed to create a close connection between individual cells and organic electronics. The study, published in Scientific advancesIt establishes the basis for the future treatment of neurological and other diseases with a very high precision.
“We could point to individual cells and explore how this affected their ability to stay healthy and functional,” says Chiara Musumeci, a researcher at the Organic Electronics Laboratory, Loe, at the University of Linköping.
The brain is controlled by electrical signals that become chemical substances in communication between brain cells. For a long time it is known that different parts of the brain can be stimulated with the help of electricity. But methods are often inaccurate and affect large parts of the brain. Sometimes, metal electrodes are needed to reach the right part of the brain, which implies the risk that the hard electrode damages brain tissue, causing inflammation or scars.
A solution to treat specific parts of the brain could involve conductive plastics, also known as polymers.
“The objective is to combine biological systems with electrodes, specifically using organic conductor polymers. As polymers are soft and compliant and can transport electricity and ions, they are preferable to conventional electrodes,” says Chiara Musumeci.
Together with the researchers of the Karolinska Institute, the Norrköping Campus research team has managed to anchor the conductive plastic to individual living cell membranes. This opens for future precise treatments of neurological diseases.
“At the moment, our results are quite general, which is good, since our future research can explore for what types of diseases this important tool would be adequate. But more research is needed before we can say something with certainty,” Alex Bersellini Farinotti, researcher at Karolinska Institute.
Previous attempts to anchor organic electronic on the cell surface have been made, but with genetically modified cells that make the membranes more receptive. In their present study, researchers have not used genetically modified cells and yet have managed to achieve narrow coupling without affecting the other cell functions. This is the first time it has been done.
To succeed, the researchers used a two -step process where an anchor molecule is used first to create a fixing point in the cell membrane. At the other end of the molecule there is a structure where the polymer electrode itself can join.
The next step in the investigation is to obtain a more uniform and stable anchor on the membrane and see how the polymer coupling behaves over time. Hanne Biesmans is a doctoral student in Loe and believes there is great potential, but there are also many challenges to solve.
“We have taken a great step forward now. But we cannot say with certainty that will work in the living fabric. This is a basic investigation, where we are now trying to discover the way to follow.”