Researchers at Lund University pioneer a conductive hydrogel that forms an in-body electrical network
Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have demonstrated a hydrogel capable of forming an electrical network inside living cells. The breakthrough points toward future therapies that could replace traditional electronic implants for treating neurodegenerative diseases and enabling brain computer interfaces. The findings are published in Science, signaling a potential shift in how implanted devices might interact with neural tissue in humans.
The team engineered a gel that becomes electrically conductive when it encounters chemicals produced naturally within organisms. These endogenous substances, generated as cells and tissues operate over a lifetime, trigger a reaction in the hydrogel that enables it to conduct electricity. By integrating enzymes into the gel, the researchers created a dynamic system that senses the chemical milieu of living tissue and responds with electrical activity. This represents a novel intersection of materials science and biology, where a single material can bridge chemical signals and electronic function without external power sources or bulky hardware.
In the experimental phase, the scientists applied the hydrogel to several model organisms to probe its capabilities. In zebrafish, they successfully formed electrode-like structures within the brain, heart, and tail fins, effectively wiring units of neural and muscular tissue. Similar approaches were taken around nerve tissues in medicinal leeches to observe how the gel interfaces with a nervous system. Across these trials, the material showed no immune rejection and did not disrupt the organisms’ normal biological processes. Looking ahead, the researchers plan to expand their studies to include human-relevant models, refine the gel composition for safer integration, and explore practical routes to clinical application. The aim is to translate this hydrogel technology into devices that can monitor neural activity, deliver targeted stimulation, or serve as a biocompatible alternative to conventional implants, all while reducing risk and improving long-term compatibility with human tissue. Attribution: Science journal report and Lund University research communications.