Research at the interface between nanoscience and biology has the potential to produce breakthroughs in fundamental science and lead to revolutionary technologies for biology, medicine, and healthcare. A central focus is the development of new tools that push the limits of spatial and temporal resolution while reducing invasiveness to electrogenic cells. Such advances could open up new research directions and provide a deeper understanding of cell–network and tissue functional connectivity, as well as signal processing between non-living materials and living systems.1-6

To achieve these goals, we have rationally designed and developed a series of functional bioelectronics, sensors, and electronic tissue scaffolds for physiological interrogation and healthcare. Specifically, we developed scalable ultrasmall nanowire 3D transistor probes for intracellular neural and cardiac recording. These probes enabled investigations of intracellular electrophysiology of electrogenic cells and the study of connections from the subcellular to the network level, which was recognised as a leap forward for high-resolution human–machine interfaces.7-9

We also designed and optimised bio-inspired injectable neuron-like mesh electronics. This conceptual and experimental breakthrough, for the first time, blurs the long-standing structural and mechanical dissimilarities between man-made and living systems 10. In parallel, our team developed a multifunctional ultrathin transistor-based flexible mesh sensor system, which can be used as a non-invasive way to monitor diversified signals from the eyes, including diabetes-related markers, temperature, and more—providing personalised and accurate medical analysis for users 11.

Inspired by the extracellular matrix, more recently, our team designed and fabricated functional and mechanically stable bioelectronic scaffolds. These scaffolds can seamlessly integrate into customised on-stage incubator chambers, combined with fluorescence microscopy and electrical stimulation/recording systems. This platform allows continuous and long-term monitoring and manipulation of cell behaviour, ultimately regulating tissue formation. 12-13

Representative publications

 

  1. Elnathan, M. Barbato, X. Guo, A. Mariano, Z. Wang, F. Santoro, P. Shi, Y. Zhao*, Biointerface design for vertical nanoprobes. Nat. Rev. Mater. 7 (2022), 953.
  2. X. Ren, Y. Zhao*, Hydrogen therapy for ischemic injuries: Interfacial transport. Nat. Chem. Eng. 2 (2025), 467–469.
  3. H. Liu, S. S. You, Z. Gao, N. Hu, Y. Zhao, Next generation of gastrointestinal electrophysiology devices. Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 21 (2024), 457.
  4. D. Yang, Y. Hu, S. Liu, W. Yang, X. Ren, Y. Li, F. Xu, M. Gong, Y. Zhao, X. Qiu, H. Hou*, Synthesis and assembly strategy of electroactive biomaterials and systems for soft tissue engineering applications. Chem 11 (2025), 102596.
  5. J. Wen, G. Li, T. Huang, W. Geng, H. Pei, J. Yang, M. Zhu, Y. Zhao, N. Jiang, C. Tian, Z. Chen, Single-cell technologies: From research to application. The Innovation (2022), 100342.
  6. A. Zhang, Y. Zhao, S. S. You, C. M. Lieber*, Nanowire probes drive high-resolution brain–machine interfaces. Nano Today 31 (2020), 100821.
  7. Y. Zhao, S. S. You, A. Zhang, J. Lee, C. M. Lieber*, Scalable ultrasmall three-dimensional nanowire transistor probes for intracellular recording. Nat. Nanotechnol. 14 (2019), 783–790.
  8. Y. Zhao, J. Yao, L. Xu, M. N. Mankin, Y. Zhu, H. Wu, L. Mai, C. M. Lieber*, Shape-controlled deterministic assembly of nanowires. Nano Lett. 16 (2016), 2644.
  9. H. Han, C. Qin, D. Xu, S. Kar, F. A. Castro, Z. Wang, J. Fang, Y. Zhao, N. Hu, Elevating intracellular action potential recording in cardiomyocytes: A precision-enhanced and biosafe single-pulse electroporation system. Biosens. Bioelectron. 246 (2024), 115860.
  10. Y. Yang, T. Zhou, G. Hong, Y. Zhao, R. D. Viveros, T. Fu, T. Gao, C. M. Lieber*, Bioinspired neuron-like electronics. Nat. Mater. 18 (2019), 510–517.
  11. K. Guo, K. Wu, C. Li, S. Zhang, M. E. Zaghloul, C. Wang, F. A. Castro, D. Yang, Y. Zhao, Integrated contact lens sensor system based on multifunctional ultrathin MoS₂ transistors. Matter 4 (2021), 969–985.
  12. D. Cox-Pridmore, F. A. Castro, P. Camelliti, Y. Zhao*, Emerging bioelectronic strategies for cardiovascular tissue engineering and implantation. Small (2022), 202105281.
  13. D. Cox-Pridmore, B. Officer, I. Francescon, G. Thompson, R. Sharma, S. Sun, M. Xu, Y. Gong, S. R. P. Silva, F. A. Castro, P. Camelliti, Y. Zhao*, Submitted.