Connection between individual cells and organic electrodes achieved

The brain communicates through electrical signals, which are converted into chemical substances to transmit information between brain cells. While electrical stimulation of different brain regions has been used in medical treatments, current methods often lack precision, potentially affecting unintended areas and requiring rigid metal electrodes. These electrodes, in some cases, may damage tissue and lead to inflammation or scarring. 

A promising alternative is the use of conductive polymers - soft, flexible materials that can transport both electricity and ions. "The goal is to combine biological systems with electrodes, specifically using organic conductive polymers. As polymers are soft and conformable and can transport both electricity and ions, they are preferable to conventional electrodes," explains Chiara Musumeci from the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) at Linköping University. 

The researchers have developed a method to attach conductive plastics to individual cell membranes without using genetically modified cells. This marks the first time such a strong connection has been achieved without altering the cells' genetic composition. "We could target individual cells and explore how this affected their ability to stay healthy and functional," says Musumeci. 

The key to their success was a two-step process: first, an anchor molecule was introduced to create an attachment point on the cell membrane. The second step involved attaching the polymer electrode to this anchor. 

"At the moment, our results are rather general, which is a good thing, as our future research can explore what types of diseases this important tool would be suitable for. But more research is needed before we can say anything with any certainty," states Alex Bersellini Farinotti, researcher at Karolinska Institutet. 

The next step in this research is to achieve a more even and stable distribution of the polymer connection across the cell membrane while observing how the attachment behaves over time. " We have taken a big step forward now. But we can’t say with any certainty that it will work in living tissue. This is basic research, where we are now trying to figure out the way forward," says Hanne Biesmans, a doctoral student at LOE. 

COMPAMED-tradefair.com; Source: Linköping University