December 1 - 6, 2024
Boston, Massachusetts
Symposium Supporters
2024 MRS Fall Meeting & Exhibit
SB09.07.03

Organic Semiconductors for Regenerative Medicine—Optical Modulation of the Cell Fate

When and Where

Dec 5, 2024
10:15am - 10:45am
Hynes, Level 2, Room 204

Presenter(s)

Co-Author(s)

Maria Rosa Antognazza1

Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia1

Abstract

Maria Rosa Antognazza1

Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia1
Use of light for selective and spatio-temporally resolved control of cell functions (photoceutics) is emerging as a valuable alternative to standard electrical and chemical methods. Here, we propose the use of smart materials, and in particular of organic semiconductors, as efficient and biocompatible optical transducers in the field of regenerative medicine.<br/>Devices able to selectively and precisely modulate the fate of living cells, from adhesion to proliferation, from differentiation up to specific function, upon visible light will be presented. Examples of practical applications, recently reported by our group, include optical modulation of the activity of both excitable and non-excitable cells, the control of essential cellular switches like transient receptor potential channels and mechanosensitive channels, as well as effective modulation of intracellular calcium signaling for precise control of cell metabolic processes.<br/>In more detail, we critically discuss the reliability and efficacy of our approach by focusing on a couple representative examples:<br/><br/>1. Optical modulation of cell differentiation, migration and wound healing processes, by hybrid interfaces with epithelial cells and skin tissue models;<sup>2 </sup><br/>2. Optical modulation of cardiovascular cells, namely endothelial cells<sup>3</sup> and human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CM). Novel materials to optically modulate angiogenesis<sup>4 </sup>and to optically induce an anti-arrhythmogenic effect will be presented<sup>5</sup>. Interestingly, these results may represent a breakthrough, noninvasive approach to face the cardiovascular risk, in particular post-ischemic disease and arrhythmias.<br/><br/>The two study-cases are among the very first reports on use of organic semiconductors for optical modulation of the cell fate, with disruptive perspectives in cell-based therapies and regenerative medicine.

Symposium Organizers

Maria Asplund, Chalmers University of Technology
Fabio Cicoira, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal
Anna Herland, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Donata Iandolo, INSERM

Session Chairs

Maria Asplund
Donata Iandolo

In this Session