Design considerations for optogenetic applications of soft micro-LED-based device systems across diverse nervous systems

Optogenetics enables precise, cell-specific control of neural activity, surpassing traditional electrical stimulation methods that indiscriminately activate nearby cells, making it crucial for rehabilitation, neurological disorder treatment, and understanding neural circuits. Among light sources for...

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Main Authors: Ju Young Lee, Taemin Kim, Shinil Cho, Jiho Shin, Woon-Hong Yeo, Tae Soo Kim, Ki Jun Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-06-01
Series:Bioactive Materials
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452199X25000544
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author Ju Young Lee
Taemin Kim
Shinil Cho
Jiho Shin
Woon-Hong Yeo
Tae Soo Kim
Ki Jun Yu
author_facet Ju Young Lee
Taemin Kim
Shinil Cho
Jiho Shin
Woon-Hong Yeo
Tae Soo Kim
Ki Jun Yu
author_sort Ju Young Lee
collection DOAJ
description Optogenetics enables precise, cell-specific control of neural activity, surpassing traditional electrical stimulation methods that indiscriminately activate nearby cells, making it crucial for rehabilitation, neurological disorder treatment, and understanding neural circuits. Among light sources for delivering light to genetically modified cells, bio-implants integrated with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have recently been the focus of extensive research due to their advantage of enabling local photogeneration. Unlike laser-based systems, which require tethered setups that hinder behavioral experiments, μ-LED-based devices allow for wireless operation, facilitating more natural movement in subjects. Furthermore, μ-LED arrays can be designed with higher spatial resolution compared to waveguide-coupled external light sources, enabling more precise control over neural activity. This paper presents design rules for implantable flexible optogenetic devices based on μ-LED, tailored to the unique anatomical and functional requirements of various regions of the nervous system. Integration of recent advancements in devices with μ-LEDs (e.g. wireless systems, optofluidic systems, multifunctionality, and closed-loop systems) enhances behavioral experiments and deepens understanding of complex neural functions in the brain, spinal cord, autonomic nervous system, and somatic nervous system. The combination of optogenetics with advanced bio-implantable devices offers promising avenues in medical science, providing more effective tools for neuromodulation research and clinical applications.
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spelling doaj-art-a4dcbd7216b245049114702003b3ec9c2025-08-20T02:12:10ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Bioactive Materials2452-199X2025-06-014821724110.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.02.006Design considerations for optogenetic applications of soft micro-LED-based device systems across diverse nervous systemsJu Young Lee0Taemin Kim1Shinil Cho2Jiho Shin3Woon-Hong Yeo4Tae Soo Kim5Ki Jun Yu6Functional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Laboratory, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemungu, 03722, Seoul, Republic of KoreaFunctional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Laboratory, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemungu, 03722, Seoul, Republic of KoreaFunctional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Laboratory, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemungu, 03722, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USAGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA; Wearable Intelligent Systems and Healthcare Center, Institute for Matter and Systems, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA; Corresponding author. George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA; Corresponding author. Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.Functional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Laboratory, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemungu, 03722, Seoul, Republic of Korea; YU-KIST Institute, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemungu, 03722, Seoul, Republic of Korea; The Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, 37673, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author. Functional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Laboratory, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemungu, 03722, Seoul, Republic of Korea.Optogenetics enables precise, cell-specific control of neural activity, surpassing traditional electrical stimulation methods that indiscriminately activate nearby cells, making it crucial for rehabilitation, neurological disorder treatment, and understanding neural circuits. Among light sources for delivering light to genetically modified cells, bio-implants integrated with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have recently been the focus of extensive research due to their advantage of enabling local photogeneration. Unlike laser-based systems, which require tethered setups that hinder behavioral experiments, μ-LED-based devices allow for wireless operation, facilitating more natural movement in subjects. Furthermore, μ-LED arrays can be designed with higher spatial resolution compared to waveguide-coupled external light sources, enabling more precise control over neural activity. This paper presents design rules for implantable flexible optogenetic devices based on μ-LED, tailored to the unique anatomical and functional requirements of various regions of the nervous system. Integration of recent advancements in devices with μ-LEDs (e.g. wireless systems, optofluidic systems, multifunctionality, and closed-loop systems) enhances behavioral experiments and deepens understanding of complex neural functions in the brain, spinal cord, autonomic nervous system, and somatic nervous system. The combination of optogenetics with advanced bio-implantable devices offers promising avenues in medical science, providing more effective tools for neuromodulation research and clinical applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452199X25000544
spellingShingle Ju Young Lee
Taemin Kim
Shinil Cho
Jiho Shin
Woon-Hong Yeo
Tae Soo Kim
Ki Jun Yu
Design considerations for optogenetic applications of soft micro-LED-based device systems across diverse nervous systems
Bioactive Materials
title Design considerations for optogenetic applications of soft micro-LED-based device systems across diverse nervous systems
title_full Design considerations for optogenetic applications of soft micro-LED-based device systems across diverse nervous systems
title_fullStr Design considerations for optogenetic applications of soft micro-LED-based device systems across diverse nervous systems
title_full_unstemmed Design considerations for optogenetic applications of soft micro-LED-based device systems across diverse nervous systems
title_short Design considerations for optogenetic applications of soft micro-LED-based device systems across diverse nervous systems
title_sort design considerations for optogenetic applications of soft micro led based device systems across diverse nervous systems
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452199X25000544
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