Enzymatic Polymerization of Thiophene-Based Oligomers for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces

The field of Bioelectronics aims to integrate electronics and biology, offering promising opportunities in various domains. However, a major hurdle in this field is the mechanical mismatch between rigid electronics and the soft nature of living tissues. To overcome this challenge, soft and flexible bioelectronic devices are being developed using microfabrication and printing techniques. Alternatively, biological processes polymerize small molecules to create intricate micromachines. Inspired by these biological processes, we utilize of thiophene-based oligomer building blocks and enzymatic processes for in vivo polymerization of organic conductors. By harnessing the advantages of this approach, we successfully achieved the in-situ formation of conducting polymer gels within living organisms. These gels exhibited soft mechanical properties that closely resemble those of natural tissues. Furthermore, we demonstrated the enzymatic construction of organic conductors in various tissues and their application as active materials in organic transistors. Our approach offers a solution to the limitations of conventional methods, providing opportunities for the development of novel, soft, and bio-compatible electronic interfaces. This advancement in Bioelectronics opens avenues for healthcare, bioengineering, and beyond.