Bioelectronic Device with Living Cells Helps Heal Skin

Image credit: Jiuyun Shi and Bozhi Tian/The University of Chicago

A wafer-thin patch being touted as “living bioelectronics” represents a potentially significant advance in the integration of electronics and the human body.

Combining sensors, bacterial cells and a starch/gelatin-based gel, the device works to monitor and improve skin conditions like psoriasis without causing further irritation.

More than a decade in the making, the prototype takes past approaches of pairing electronics with an anti-irritant soft layer but goes a step further to add living cells – in this case, naturally occurring skin bacteria such as S. epidermidis – which have been shown to lessen inflammation.

“This is a bridge from traditional bioelectronics, which incorporates living cells as part of the therapy,” said researcher, Jiuyun Shi in a story with the University of Chicago.

Researcher, Saehyun Kim added: “It’s like a living drug – you don’t have to refill it.”

Researchers anticipate the concept will have multiple future applications, including neurological and cardiological stimulation, and extend to other cell and tissue types.

Check out the full research article in the 30 May 2024 issue of Science, or refer to this story via the University of Chicago.