Non-genetic neuromodulation with graphene optoelectronic actuators for disease models, stem cell maturation, and biohybrid robotics.

Journal: Nature communications
Published Date: Aug 20, 2025

Abstract

Light can serve as a tunable trigger for neurobioengineering technologies, enabling probing, control, and enhancement of brain function with unmatched spatiotemporal precision. Yet, these technologies often require genetic or structural alterations of neurons, disrupting their natural activity. Here, we introduce the Graphene-Mediated Optical Stimulation (GraMOS) platform, which leverages graphene's optoelectronic properties and its ability to efficiently convert light into electricity. Using GraMOS in longitudinal studies, we found that repeated optical stimulation enhances the maturation of hiPSC-derived neurons and brain organoids, underscoring GraMOS's potential for regenerative medicine and neurodevelopmental studies. To explore its potential for disease modeling, we applied short-term GraMOS to Alzheimer's stem cell models, uncovering disease-associated alterations in neuronal activity. Finally, we demonstrated a proof-of-concept for neuroengineering applications by directing robotic movements with GraMOS-triggered signals from graphene-interfaced brain organoids. By enabling precise, non-invasive neural control across timescales from milliseconds to months, GraMOS opens new avenues in neurodevelopment, disease treatment, and robotics.

Authors

  • Elena Molokanova
    Nanotools Bioscience, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA. emolokanova@neuranobio.com.
  • Teng Zhou
    School of Computer Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
  • Pragna Vasupal
    NeurANO Bioscience, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
  • Volodymyr P Cherkas
    Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
  • Prashant Narute
    Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
  • Mariana S A Ferraz
    Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Michael Reiss
    Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Angels Almenar-Queralt
    Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Georgia Chaldaiopoulou
    Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Janaina Sena de Souza
    Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Honieh Hemati
    NeurANO Bioscience, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
  • Francisco Downey
    Nanotools Bioscience, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
  • Omowuyi O Olajide
    Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Carolina Thörn Perez
    The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92027, USA.
  • Francesca Puppo
    Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Pinar Mesci
    Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
  • Samuel L Pfaff
    The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92027, USA.
  • Dmitry Kireev
    Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
  • Alysson R Muotri
    Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. muotri@ucsd.edu.
  • Alex Savchenko
    Nanotools Bioscience, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA. asavtchenko@nanotoolsbio.com.

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