title: A polymer optoelectronic interface restores light sensitivity in blind rat retinas.
abstract: Interfacing organic electronics with biological substrates offers new possibilities for biotechnology due to the beneficial properties exhibited by organic conducting polymers. These polymers have been used for cellular interfaces in several fashions, including cellular scaffolds, neural probes, biosensors and actuators for drug release. Recently, an organic photovoltaic blend has been exploited for neuronal stimulation via a photo-excitation process. Here, we document the use of a single-component organic film of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to trigger neuronal firing upon illumination. Moreover, we demonstrate that this bio-organic interface restored light sensitivity in explants of rat retinas with light-induced photoreceptor degeneration. These findings suggest that all-organic devices may play an important future role in sub-retinal prosthetic implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
authors.affiliation: Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Antognazza
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Tecnologie Biomediche, Università dell'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maccarone
authors.affiliation: Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellani
authors.affiliation: Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lanzarini
authors.affiliation: Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.affiliation: UO Oculistica, Ospedale S. Cuore-Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mete
authors.affiliation: UO Oculistica, Ospedale S. Cuore-Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy.
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pertile
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Tecnologie Biomediche, Università dell'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bisti
authors.affiliation: Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lanzani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy ; Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benfenati