Bioelectronics and neuromorphic bio-interfacing

In this research direction, The integrity of cell barriers is investigated by organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). Ion transport through cellular barriers via the paracellular pathway is modulated via the tight junctions between adjacent cells. The integrity of bio-membranes is monitored by administrating various agents (e.g., neuromodulators, toxins) that induce reversible and irreverible changes of the barrier. The proposed platoform represents a versitile tool to assess dynamic and critical changes in tight junctions, relevant for clinical applications as drug targeting and screening. Moreover, soft matter-based electronics are used for in-vivo neuromoprhic bio-interfaces and for augmenting the sensorimotor proccesses of living organisms. 

References

S. Zhu, Y. Li, H. Yelemulati, X. Deng, Y. Li, J. Wang, X. Li, G. Li, P. Gkoupidenis, Y. Tai, An artificial remote tactile device with 3D depth-of-field sensation, Sci. Adv. 8, 43 (2022).

T. Sarkar, K. Lieberth, A. Pavlou, T. Frank, V. Mailaender, I. McCulloch, P. W. M. Blom, F. Torricelli, P. Gkoupidenis, An organic artificial spiking neuron for in situ neuromorphic sensing and biointerfacing, Nat. Electron. 5 (11), 774-783 (2022).

R. Nawrocki, M. Parker, P. Gkoupidenis, Artificial neurons emulate biological counterparts to enable synergetic operation, Nat. Electr. 5 (11), 721-722 (2022).

K. Lieberth, M. Brückner, F. Torricelli, V. Mailänder, P. Gkoupidenis, P. W. M. Blom, Monitoring reversible tight junction modulation with a current‐driven organic electrochemical transistor, Adv. Mater. Technol. 2000940 (2021).

K. Lieberth, P. Romele, F. Torricelli, D. A. Koutsouras, M. Brückner, V. Mailänder, P. Gkoupidenis, P. W. M. Blom, Current-driven organic electrochemical transistors for monitoring cell layer integrity with enhanced sensitivity, Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2100845 (2021).

L. V. Lingstedt, M. Ghittorelli, M. Brückner, J. Reinholz, I. Crăciun, F. Torricelli, V. Mailänder, P. Gkoupidenis, P. W. M. Blom, Monitoring of cell layer integrity with a current‐driven organic electrochemical transistor, Adv. Healthc. Mater. 8, 16, 1900128 (2019).

D. Koutsouras, L. V. Lingstedt, K. Lieberth, J. Reinholz, V. Mailänder, P. W. M. Blom, P. Gkoupidenis, Probing the impedance of a biological tissue with PEDOT:PSS‐coated metal electrodes: Effect of electrode size on sensing efficiency, Adv. Healthc. Mater. 8, 23, 1901215 (2019).