Light-triggered cardiac microphysiological model
Vito Vurro, K. Shani, Herdeline Ann M. Ardoña, John F. Zimmerman, Valentina Sesti, Keel Yong Lee, Qianru Jin, Chiara Bertarelli, Kevin Kit Parker, Guglielmo Lanzani
Abstract
Light is recognized as an accurate and noninvasive tool for stimulating excitable cells. Here, we report on a non-genetic approach based on organic molecular phototransducers that allows wiring- and electrode-free tissue modulation. As a proof of concept, we show photostimulation of an in vitro cardiac microphysiological model mediated by an amphiphilic azobenzene compound that preferentially dwells in the cell membrane. Exploiting this optical based stimulation technology could be a disruptive approach for highly resolved cardiac tissue stimulation.
Topics & Concepts
PhotostimulationStimulationCardiac cellAzobenzeneIn vitroNanotechnologyBiophysicsNeuroscienceMaterials scienceBiomedical engineeringChemistryComputational biologyCell biologyBiologyBiochemistryMedicinePolymerComposite materialPhotoreceptor and optogenetics researchPhotochromic and Fluorescence ChemistryNeuroscience and Neural Engineering