New models for fabrication and actuation of living electronic interfaces- Dr. Claudia Tortiglione- ISASI, CNR- Pozzuoli
Abstract: The unmatchable capability of living cells to fabricate complex structure starting from simple building blocks offers new paradigms to seamlessly integrate new electronic structures into the living matter, creating new hybrid devices. We exploited this potential in a simple tissue-like organism, the freshwater polyp Hydra vulgaris, and here we provide an overview of recent and on-going results obtained with this model together with our methodological approaches ranging from behavioural to optical, spectroscopical, and electrical characterization. By simple exposure to conjugated oligomers we show the capability of Hydra to fabricate new electronically conducting microstructures in specific cell types, thanks to endogenous enzymatic activity. In another case, fluorescent and conductive microfibers embedded into the tissues were self produced starting from oligothiophene compounds, showing the feasibility to use these organisms as biofactories to fabricate and to test novel bioelectronic interface. The mechanisms of fiber biogenesis were further dissected in cell system, where advanced characterization techniques suggested the active involvement of cell driven processes in the fiber assembling. Cells and tissues with integrated biocompatible electronics, manufactured in vivo in localized regions, may inspire new devices to manipulate biological functions by adding or augmenting conductivity in physiological or pathological contexts with spatiotemporal control, paving the way to new bioengineering concepts.
Biography: Claudia Tortiglione graduated cum laude in Biology at University of Naples “Federico II” in 1992. After completing her graduate research at Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (CNR Naples), she spent two years at University of Edinburgh, in the laboratory of Developmental Biology (Prof. M. Bownes) working on molecular mechanisms of development of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Back in Italy she received her PhD at University of Naples, developing new skills in Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, laying the bases for further interests in nanobiotechnology. On 2004 she moved to ISASI (former Istituto di Cibernetica), enrolled as permanent researcher of CNR. Here she started an independent career, launching new research lines at the interface between Biology and Nanoscience and establishing the NanoBiomolecular group. Her research tackles biological issues by means of engineered nanoparticles of different chemical composition and physical properties as innovative tools for biomedicine, bioelectronics and environmental toxicology. The novelty of her research is the development and the use of nano and micro devices to modulate biological functions, and on the use of Cnidaria model organisms to parallel results obtained in vitro. Recently, she exploited the possibility to use organic semiconducting polymers to control cell function. She demonstrated the possibility to modulate animal behaviour and light sensitivity by using photovoltaic nanoparticles and demonstrated the possibility to fabricate living electronic interfaces fully integrated into the animal tissues, opening new horizon in the field of engineered living bioelectronics.
