Bio-inspired electronics: Soft, biohybrid, and "living" neural interfaces.

Boufidis, Dimitris; Garg, Raghav; Angelopoulos, Eugenia; Cullen, D Kacy; Vitale, Flavia · Nat Commun · 2025

review · Level V

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Abstract

Neural interface technologies are increasingly evolving towards bio-inspired approaches to enhance integration and long-term functionality. Recent strategies merge soft materials with tissue engineering to realize biologically-active and/or cell-containing living layers at the tissue-device interface that enable seamless biointegration and novel cell-mediated therapeutic opportunities. This review maps the field of bio-inspired electronics and discusses key recent developments in tissue-like and regenerative bioelectronics, from soft biomaterials and surface-functionalized bioactive coatings to cell-containing 'biohybrid' and 'all-living' interfaces. We define and contextualize key terminology in this emerging field and highlight how biological and living components can bridge the gap to clinical translation.

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