A Simple Animal Model to Discover Neuroactive Function of Semiconducting Oligomers

Modulating neural activity with electrical or chemical stimulus can be used for fundamental and applied research. Beside intracellular and extracellular electrodes delivering brief electrical pulses for neural stimulation, wireless methodologies based on functional materials may represent superior alternatives to modulate neuronal function. Here we show that the organic semiconducting oligomer ETE-S induces precise behaviors in the freshwater polyp <i>Hydra</i>, a small invertebrate with a nerve net controlling a limited repertoire of behaviors. Through pharmacological and electrophysiological approaches we found that the ETE-S induced behavioral response relies on the presence of head neurons and calcium, and is prevented by drugs triggering ionotropic channels and muscle contraction [1]. Moreover, ETE-S affects <i>Hydra</i>’s electrical activity enhancing the contraction burst frequency. The unexpected neuromodulatory function played by this conjugated oligomer on a simple nerve net opens intriguing research possibilities on fundamental chemical and physical phenomena behind organic bioelectronic interfaces for neuromodulation, and on alternative methods that could catalyze a wide expansion of this rising technology for clinical applications.<br/><br/><br/>[1] G. Tommasini, M. De Simone_, S. Santillo, G. Dufil, M. Iencharelli, D. Mantione, E. Stavrinidou, A.Tino, C.Tortiglione. In vivo neuromodulation of animal behavior with organic semiconducting oligomers. Science Advances, published on line18 Oct. 2023