The organic abiotic/biotic interface for rescuing vision in blind retinas
31st March 2022
Timing : 2 pm EST
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The possibility to stimulate cell by phototransducing light via an organic semiconductor has been studied and applied to rescuing vision in blind retinas. The organic semiconductor is the prototypical photovoltaic polymer poly 3 hexyl thiophene. We studied planar films or nanoparticles in contact with the neuronal membrane to unravel the phototransducing dynamics. In vivo in animal model affected by photoreceptor degeneration we show the recovery of light sensitivity and visual acuity. The photophysics of the polymer relevant to this application has been investigated in order to describe the coupling mechanism. While there are still many open questions, the encouraging results obtained in vivo led us to founding a start up (NOVAVIDO) to bring this technology to humans.