Immune-Compatible Polymer Semiconductors with Suppressed Foreign-Body Response

For in vivo bioelectronics to achieve long-term appropriate operation, immune-mediated foreign-body response (FBR) stands as the most widely existing challenge. Polymer semiconductors, especially those with mixed electron-ion conduction, have shown promise in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) as an advanced type of sensing devices for tissue interfacing. However, there is still limited understanding of their immune compatibility in vivo, and strategies for minimizing FBR through molecular design remain underexplored.<br/><br/>In this talk, I will present the immune-compatible designs of polymer semiconductors. Through rational design of polymer backbones and side chains with immune-modulatory properties, the resulting polymer semiconductors could suppress the FBR up to three months. Detailed immunology analysis indicates these designs could suppress macrophage activation and expression of inflammatory biomarkers. In the meantime, these immune-compatible designs still provide high electrical performance in OECTs.