Non-genetic neuromodulation with graphene optoelectronic actuators for disease models, stem cell maturation, and biohybrid robotics.
Publication Year:
2025
PubMed ID:
40835596
Funding Grants:
Public Summary:
Light is a powerful tool for studying and influencing the brain, but many current technologies require altering brain cells in ways that can disrupt their natural behavior. In this work, researchers present GraMOS, a new platform that uses the unique properties of graphene—a thin, flexible form of carbon—to convert light into gentle electrical signals that can activate neurons without genetic modification.
Using GraMOS over long periods, they found that controlled light stimulation helps lab-grown human neurons and brain organoids develop and mature more effectively. In disease studies, short-term use of GraMOS on Alzheimer’s stem cell–derived models revealed clear differences in their neural activity, highlighting its potential for detecting and understanding brain disorders. They also showed that GraMOS can be used for neuroengineering: signals from light-stimulated, graphene-interfaced brain organoids were able to guide simple robotic movements.
By providing precise and non-invasive control of neural activity—from milliseconds to months—GraMOS opens promising new possibilities in brain development research, disease modeling, future therapies, and brain-inspired robotics.
Scientific Abstract:
Light can serve as a tunable trigger for neurobioengineering technologies, enabling probing, control, and enhancement of brain function with unmatched spatiotemporal precision. Yet, these technologies often require genetic or structural alterations of neurons, disrupting their natural activity. Here, we introduce the Graphene-Mediated Optical Stimulation (GraMOS) platform, which leverages graphene's optoelectronic properties and its ability to efficiently convert light into electricity. Using GraMOS in longitudinal studies, we found that repeated optical stimulation enhances the maturation of hiPSC-derived neurons and brain organoids, underscoring GraMOS's potential for regenerative medicine and neurodevelopmental studies. To explore its potential for disease modeling, we applied short-term GraMOS to Alzheimer's stem cell models, uncovering disease-associated alterations in neuronal activity. Finally, we demonstrated a proof-of-concept for neuroengineering applications by directing robotic movements with GraMOS-triggered signals from graphene-interfaced brain organoids. By enabling precise, non-invasive neural control across timescales from milliseconds to months, GraMOS opens new avenues in neurodevelopment, disease treatment, and robotics.
