Symposium SB05—Tissue-Like Bioelectronics and Living Bioelectronic Interfaces

Bioelectronics are a broad class of devices that convert biological information into electronic currents or vice versa. Such systems give rise to bidirectional flows of information between humans and machines and serve as instrumental therapeutics and diagnostics. Examples include implantable medical devices (e.g. pacemakers, cochlear implants, neural probes), surgical tools, and scientific apparatus. To expand efficacy, utility, and new applications, innovation is needed in the structural and functional properties of bioelectronic devices and the materials that compose these devices. Challenges include improving biological-device interfaces for resolution and specificity and prolonging device operation in biological environments. This symposium will cover the latest innovative materials and fabrication strategies that blur distinctions between tissue and device.

Material advances borrowed from other fields, such as tissue engineering, tissues-on-chip, and neural engineering, are fueling innovation in bioelectronic devices. Advanced manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing and bioprinting, that expand the versatility of materials in device composition and give rise to novel device structures and function will be highlighted. Emerging approaches that integrate biomaterials (e.g. hydrogels, proteins), thin films and devices laden with cells that are incorporated either during or after fabrication will be explored. Basic studies of biological-electrical interfaces, which elucidate important materials and device design principles are also key areas to be covered. The symposium will bring together investigators from a range of disciplines and whose research spans the spectrum of these topics.

Topics will include:

Conducting hydrogels & proteins
Bioelectronic devices built from soft & hydrated materials
Cell-laden, biohybrid, or tissue-embedded bioelectronic devices
Printed bioelectronics for integration of multiple materials and/or cells
The use of electronics for engineered tissues, for recording or stimulation, such as tissues-on-chips
Material strategies for improving cellular & tissue interfaces with electronics
Biocompatibility studies & chronic evaluations of bioelectronic materials & devices
Chronic evaluations of implanted devices
New materials and material modifications to prolong device functionality/operation in biological environments
Biomimetic bioelectronics
Biofunctional nanomaterials
Materials considerations for bioelectronic data and power transfer

Invited Speakers:

Tzahi Cohen-Karni (Carnegie Mellon University, USA)
Tal Dvir (Tel Aviv University, Israel)
Ying Fang (National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China)
Diego Ghezzi (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland)
Sahika Inal (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia)
Abigail Koppes (Northeastern University, USA)
Kristen Kozielski (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany)
Duygu Kuzum (University of California, San Diego, USA)
Antonio Lauto (Western Sydney University, Australia)
Adam Micolich (University of New South Wales, Australia)
Ivan Minev (The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom)
Hidenori Okuzaki (University of Yamanashi, Japan)
Roisin Owens (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom)
Jonathan Rivnay (Northwestern University, USA)
Francesca Santoro (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy)
Molly Stevens (Imperial College London, United Kingdom)
Flavia Vitale (University of Pennsylvania, USA)