Innovative Light-Activated Technology Enables Heart Cell Stimulation

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have developed a groundbreaking biomolecular system that allows light to stimulate heart cells in laboratory settings. This innovative approach involves creating biomolecules capable of generating light-sensitive cardiac muscle cells without the need for genetic modification or invasive procedures. The light-triggered stimulation mechanism can influence the contraction rhythm of heart cells, enhancing the understanding of cardiac behaviors and aiding in tissue engineering. The scientists achieved this by designing synthetic soft biomaterials, utilizing peptides that can be precisely tuned based on amino acid sequences to interact with cells and deliver localized electrical cues upon light exposure. These cues promote more natural, rhythmical contractions and help stem cell-derived tissues exhibit features similar to adult hearts. This technology not only advances the study of heart diseases by enabling more accurate lab models but also opens new possibilities for developing light-based cardiac therapies, such as photostimulation pacemakers. The research, detailed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is a significant step forward in cardiac bioengineering and could lead to non-invasive, light-driven heart treatment strategies in the future. The team plans to further investigate the underlying mechanisms and develop three-dimensional engineered cardiac tissues that respond to light similarly, offering promising prospects for regenerative medicine.