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Abstract Bioelectronic devices that allow simultaneous accurate monitoring and control of the spatiotemporal patterns of cardiac activity provide an effective means to understand the mechanisms and optimize therapeutic strategies for heart disease. Optogenetics is a promising technology for cardiac research due to its advantages such as cell‐type selectivity and high space‐time resolution, but its efficacy is limited by the insufficient number of modulation channels and lack of simultaneous spatiotemporal mapping capabilities in current implantable cardiac optogenetics tools available for in vivo investigations. Here, soft implantable electro‐optical cardiac devices integrating multilayered highly uniform arrays of transparent microelectrodes and multicolor light‐emitting diodes in thin, flexible platforms are designed for mechanically compliant high‐content high‐precision electrical mapping and single‐/multi‐site optogenetics and electrical stimulation without light‐induced artifacts. Systematic benchtop characterizations, together with ex vivo and in vivo evaluations on healthy and diseased small animal hearts and human cardiac slices demonstrate their functionalities in real‐time spatiotemporal mapping and control of cardiac rhythm and function, with broad applications in basic and ultimately clinical cardiology.
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This content will become publicly available on October 1, 2026
Optoelectronic Interfaces for Nongenetic Modulation of Excitable Tissues
Abstract Precise modulation of excitable tissues—including neurons and cardiomyocytes—is essential for both understanding physiological functions and developing advanced therapies for neurological and cardiac disorders. Conventional modulation techniques such as electrical stimulation, pharmacological intervention, and optogenetics, face limitations in terms of invasiveness, spatiotemporal resolution, and/or requirement for genetic modulation. Optoelectronic interfaces based on light‐matter interaction have emerged as promising alternatives. These platforms offer wireless, nongenetic modulation capabilities with high spatiotemporal resolution and minimal invasiveness and risks of infection. Here, a summary of recent advances in nongenetic optoelectronic modulation strategies is presented. Aspects such as material selection and processing, device designs, working principles, and fabrication techniques are discussed. Then, key characterization methodologies, including benchtop assessments and validation within the living systems are discussed. Alongside the discussion, representative applications across in vitro and in vivo models of cardiac and central/peripheral nervous systems are highlighted. Finally, future directions and clinical opportunities, aiming to provide a thorough reference for the continued development of this field for both fundamental research and next‐generation therapeutic applications are explored.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2223387
- PAR ID:
- 10653672
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Small Methods
- ISSN:
- 2366-9608
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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