Seamless integration of bioelectronic interface in an animal model via <i>in</i> <i>vivo</i> polymerization of conjugated oligomers.

Abstract

Leveraging the biocatalytic machinery of living organisms for fabricating functional bioelectronic interfaces, <i>in vivo</i>, defines a new class of micro-biohybrids enabling the seamless integration of technology with living biological systems. Previously, we have demonstrated the <i>in vivo</i> polymerization of conjugated oligomers forming conductors within the structures of plants. Here, we expand this concept by reporting that <i>Hydra</i>, an invertebrate animal, polymerizes the conjugated oligomer ETE-S both within cells that expresses peroxidase activity and within the adhesive material that is secreted to promote underwater surface adhesion. The resulting conjugated polymer forms electronically conducting and electrochemically active μm-sized domains, which are inter-connected resulting in percolative conduction pathways extending beyond 100 μm, that are fully integrated within the <i>Hydra</i> tissue and the secreted mucus. Furthermore, the introduction and <i>in vivo</i> polymerization of ETE-S can be used as a biochemical marker to follow the dynamics of <i>Hydra</i> budding (reproduction) and regeneration. This work paves the way for well-defined self-organized electronics in animal tissue to modulate biological functions and <i>in vivo</i> biofabrication of hybrid functional materials and devices.