In an amazing scientific advance, researchers have combined living cells with electronics to create special patches that can sense inflammation on the skin and help heal psoriasis symptoms.
The patches, dubbed “living bioelectronics,” were developed by Professor Bozhi Tian’s team at the University of Chicago. They contain bacterial cells from the skin bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis embedded in a gel made from natural starches and proteins. Sensors in the patch monitor skin temperature and moisture levels.
When applied to areas of psoriasis inflammation in mice, the living bacterial cells secreted substances that significantly reduced psoriasis-like redness and irritation without causing further skin issues. The researchers believe this technology could be adapted to help with other medical conditions that require sensing and treatments at the skin level.
It took over 15 years to develop this prototype that successfully merged electronics with living cells and tissues. Traditional bioelectronic devices can be bulky and cause irritation. But these patches become part of the body’s healing making the device functional and biocompatible. The patches also include sensors that monitor skin temperature and humidity, providing real-time skin condition data. This dual functionality ensures that the patches not only passively treat inflammation but actively monitor the healing process.
Beyond psoriasis, the team hopes to create versions that accelerate wound healing in diabetics or even interface with neurons. With the ability to freeze-dry and rehydrate the patches, they could provide convenient point-of-care treatments in the future.
The patches provide a new way to deliver “living” therapies. “This is essentially a living drug,” explained Saehyun Kim, a Ph.D. student in Tian’s lab and a co-first author of the study.
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