A revolutionary new "living bioelectronic" patch has been created, which gives people with psoriasis and other skin diseases hope for better treatment.
(Photo: Pexels/ cottonbro studio)
Innovative Patch Combines Living Cells and Electronics
Simiao Niu is an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Rutgers-New Brunswick. He and his colleagues have been involved and very important in making a prototype that he and his colleagues call a "living bioelectronic." This gadget's advanced electronics, living cells, and hydrogel are meant to help psoriasis.
Scientists from the University of Chicago and Columbia University collaborated on the project, which was featured in Science magazine. The patch contains bacterial cells, electrical chips, and a gel made of starch and gelatin. In tests on mice, the device constantly monitored and improved psoriasis-like symptoms without irritating the skin, which was a good sign.
Niu was inspired by his childhood acne and his work as an engineer on the Apple Watch. He imagined an electronic device that could be worn and treat skin problems while giving people constant feedback. The result is a device that goes beyond normal bioelectronics, made up of electronic parts covered in a synthetic layer to keep the skin from getting irritated.
The circle patch is about an inch across and thin as a wafer. It contains live cells as part of its treatment. In particular, the gel case contains Staphylococcus epidermidis, a bacteria known to lower inflammation.
The gadget's flexible printed circuit checks the skin for signs of healing, such as skin impedance, temperature, and humidity. This information is sent wirelessly to a computer or smartphone, allowing people to see how they're getting better.
READ ALSO: Sunscreen Protection: Here's Why It's Important To Apply It
Potential to Transform Treatment for Various Skin Conditions
This new technology could help more than just people with psoriasis. Niu and his colleagues think the patch could treat several health problems, such as wound healing and some skin cancer.
Animal experiments demonstrating that the patch worked well represent a significant step forward. In contrast to typical bioelectronics, Niu's idea functions as a "living drug," with bacteria in the gel-producing compounds that reduce inflammation. The patch contains flexible circuits that read the skin's reaction and transmit that data to external devices, allowing for real-time monitoring.
Niu's work is motivated by his desire to create technology that improves people's lives, which originates from his experience at Apple. During Niu's tenure at Apple, customers sent him and other programmers countless thank-you notes saying their Apple Watches had detected life-threatening heart conditions. This is what motivates him to study right now.
The next stage is to test the gadget on real individuals in clinical trials, which is required before making it available to the public. If the studies were successful and had few adverse effects, the business would seek FDA approval to sell the gadget. Fuying Dong and Chi Han, two graduate students at Rutgers who are on Niu's team, hope the device will change how psoriasis and other skin diseases are handled.
Creating this "living bioelectronic" patch is a big step forward in biological engineering. This new technology can help people with chronic skin conditions and other health problems by connecting electrical devices to biological tissues. As clinical studies continue, it becomes more likely that a better, longer-lasting way will be found to treat psoriasis and other conditions.
RELATED ARTICLE: New Topical Gel: Will This Cheaper, Easier Approach Totally Heal 'Butterfly Children' Disease in Patients?
Check out more news and information on Medicine & Health in Science Times.
