Scientists at MIT have introduced revolutionary cell-wearable devices designed to improve the treatment of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). These tiny, battery-free devices wrap around individual neurons, acting as synthetic myelin to restore disrupted electrical signaling caused by neurodegenerative diseases.

Synthetic Myelin for Damaged Axons

Crafted from soft polymers, these microdevices envelop neuronal structures without causing harm. Activated by specific light wavelengths, they adhere to axons and dendrites, imitating natural myelin. Deblina Sarkar, head of MIT’s Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek Lab, explains that this technology enables “intimate interfaces with neurons” for potential restoration of neural functions in damaged areas.

Advances in Microelectronics

The devices are made using azobenzene, a light-sensitive material that forms microtubes when exposed to specific light. Marta J. I. Airaghi Leccardi, a lead researcher, emphasizes that the fabrication process is scalable, making it feasible to mass-produce these cell-wearables for therapeutic purposes.

Future Applications

MIT researchers foresee integrating these devices with sensors to non-invasively monitor electrical and thermal signals in the brain. Flavia Vitale of the University of Pennsylvania hails this research as a promising foundation for developing new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, potentially aiding in real-time monitoring and therapy.