Purdue Researchers Develop Conductive Polymers in Brain for Medical Applications
Researchers at Purdue University, led by Jianguo Mei, PhD, have developed a method to grow conductive polymers directly in the brain, which could revolutionize treatments for neurodegenerative disorders and other medical applications. The team focused on creating n-doped poly(benzodifurandione) (n-PBDF) polymers in vivo using monomers injected into biological tissues. This method leverages the body's natural catalysts, such as hemoproteins, to assemble the polymers, offering a biocompatible alternative to traditional materials like metals. The research, published in Science, demonstrated the safety and efficacy of this approach in zebrafish and mice, showing no adverse effects on behavior or physiology. The polymers were functional within the tissues, altering neuronal activity and offering reversible control through light stimulation. 
