Bioelectronics made of conductive materials are revolutionizing disease treatment. Although promising, the area has obstacles that require new solutions. A revolution in this groundbreaking sector was made by Lund University researchers who developed a detailed, tissue-friendly approach.

In the findings published in Advanced Science, researchers talk about how they can use light to make things in the body that carry electricity. Early animal testing showed encouraging results.

Among other things, bioelectronics are used to treat heart rhythms, seizures and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. It is known, though, that with today's bioelectrodes and insertion methods, the tissue must change to fit the electrodes, not the other way around. This causes complications that prove challenging.

Scientists create soft, conductive structures within the body

Professor Roger Olsson of chemical biology and drug discovery at Lund University stated that mechanical mismatch, inflammation and scarring are common problems with existing bioelectrodes, especially in soft tissues like the brain.

"Our goal is to create biocompatible solutions that seamlessly integrate with the body. This study shows that we are on the right path."

To do this, experts came up with a process called "photopolymerization" that can be used with living things. Light-sensitive materials are used as building blocks in this method to make soft, active structures inside the host. It is possible to make these shapes fit together, especially with softer tissues, like brain matter.

"When the tissue is exposed to light — blue, green, or red — a rapid reaction occurs within five to 30Photopolymerization infographic. Source: University of Tokyo minutes, forming a soft material, a hydrogel, that can conduct electricity. This material consists of so-called polymer structures and water," stated Fredrik Ek, the study's main author.

"This has not been shown before for electrodes formed directly in tissues. The created structures are tissue-friendly and biocompatible, making them more suitable than today's bioelectronics for interacting with biological systems, such as regulating the electrical signals of nerves. This could be significant for treating neurological and neurodegenerative diseases," Fredrik Ek explained.

Researchers feel this technology could change the way bioelectronic treatments are used in the future. These light-created bioelectrodes are less invasive than typical devices and don't need a follow up procedure to be taken out: They break down on their own.