Abstract
The development of bioelectronic devices has significantly advanced the field of clinical diagnosis and therapy. Recent progress in light technology has attracted considerable attention as a promising approach for wireless modulation of biological functions. In addition to the classic electrical interaction, the integration of optics in bioelectronics allows new complementary paths for interfacing cells.
In this perspective article, we discuss the working principle of optobioelectronics, highlighting the advantages of using organic materials. Then, we provide an overview of the achievements in term of electrical and molecular regulation of biological processes, with a special focus on devices based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). We finally envision a multimodal platform that combines different classes of light-responsive organic materials to create a highly dynamic interface. We suggest that this approach will enable the true integration of bioelectronics with biological tissues and the creation of a stable communication pathway