英国牛津大学Hagan Bayley课题组的一项最新研究在人工合成的神经中实现了并行传输。2022年4月21日出版的《自然—化学》发表了这项成果。

无绳和软的生物电子设备在医学、机器人技术和化学计算方面具有广阔的发展前景。该文中，研究人员描述了一种仿生的合成神经元，其完全由柔软、灵活的生物材料组成，能够在厘米距离内快速传递电化学信号。像自然细胞一样，该合成神经元从终端释放神经递质，从而启动下游反应。神经元的组成成分是纳升级水液滴和水凝胶纤维，它们通过脂质双分子层连接。界面上的信号传输由光驱动的质子泵提供动力，并由离子传导蛋白孔介导。

通过将多个神经元捆绑成一个合成神经，课题组发现不同的信号可以沿平行轴突同时传播，从而传递时空信息。研究人员表示，合成神经可能会在下一代植入物、软机器和计算设备中发挥作用。

附：英文原文

Title: Parallel transmission in a synthetic nerve

Author: Hoskin, Charlotte E. G., Schild, Vanessa Restrepo, Vinals, Javier, Bayley, Hagan

Issue&Volume: 2022-04-21

Abstract: Bioelectronic devices that are tetherless and soft are promising developments in medicine, robotics and chemical computing. Here, we describe bioinspired synthetic neurons, composed entirely of soft, flexible biomaterials, capable of rapid electrochemical signal transmission over centimetre distances. Like natural cells, our synthetic neurons release neurotransmitters from their terminals, which initiate downstream reactions. The components of the neurons are nanolitre aqueous droplets and hydrogel fibres, connected through lipid bilayers. Transmission is powered at these interfaces by light-driven proton pumps and mediated by ion-conducting protein pores. By bundling multiple neurons into a synthetic nerve, we have shown that distinct signals can propagate simultaneously along parallel axons, thereby transmitting spatiotemporal information. Synthetic nerves might play roles in next-generation implants, soft machines and computing devices.

DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-00916-1

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-022-00916-1