Antibody-Modified Photovoltaic Biointerface for Neural Stimulation

Artificial photoreceptor-based retinal prostheses are a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. Currently, it is challenging to construct an artificial retinal prosthesis based on a biocompatible neural interface using simple methods to achieve efficient neuronal stimulation under low light intensity and simulate visual resolution. Here, we demonstrate an effective strategy to dramatically enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of neuronal stimulation by constructing an antibody-modified photovoltaic biointerface between artificial photoreceptor devices and neuronal cells. Neurons cultured on the antibody-modified photovoltaic biointerface can be successfully activated through light irradiation with a light intensity lower than 5 mW cm–2, which is dramatically lower than the required light intensity of 1-Sun conditions for traditional artificial retinal prostheses. Benefiting from the antibody-modified interface for specific targeting, an arrayed distribution of neurons was achieved on the biointerface with Au arrays. This study develops an artificial photoreceptor system for synergistic integration of guided cellular growth and enhanced neural photoactivation, proposing a potential method for retinal prostheses and visual restoration.