Hydrogel Biointerfaces for Living Bioelectronics and Electroceuticals

In this presentation, I will discuss several recent innovations from our laboratory at the intersection of bioelectronics, microbiology, and materials science, with an emphasis on hydrogel-based biointerfaces. One of the key advancements is the Active Biointegrated Living Electronics (ABLE) platform, a system that integrates living bacteria with hydrogels and wearable electronics. This platform enables real-time, dynamic monitoring of inflammation and facilitates localized therapeutic interventions, presenting a novel approach to bioelectronic medicine. The hydrogels serve as biocompatible matrices, creating an optimal interface between living cells and electronic components while ensuring structural flexibility and stability in biological environments. Additionally, we have identified novel forms of excitability in microbial systems, specifically selective excitability. By exploiting this property, we have developed a drug-free method for bacterial disinfection utilizing electrical stimulation through the hydrogel matrix. This technique leverages the inherent bioelectrical properties of bacteria to disrupt cellular functions, offering a non-invasive and effective approach to microbial control without the use of traditional antibiotics. The presentation will further examine the broader potential of these hydrogel-based biointerfaces in advancing sustainable, drug-free approaches for disease management, marking a new frontier in the field of bioelectronic medicine.