KAUST, Organic Bioelectronics Laboratory

Making electronic devices to interface with living systems is very challenging due to the huge differences between these two worlds. Biology is soft and water-based, whereas conventional electronics are made of hard, stiff electronic components. Biology uses ionic charges, like Na+, Ca+2, or charged species for sending out messages, while conventional electronics uses electrons and electronic signals.

Because of these mismatches, electronics do not understand what living systems are trying to say, and it becomes very challenging to make living systems respond to electronic signals. Therefore, at the interface between conventional electronics and biological systems, researchers use materials that have properties from these two worlds.

This is the focus of the Lab of Organic Bioelectronics at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, led by professor Sahika Inal. The lab deals with organic electronic materials and their applications at the interface with living systems. Researchers use these conducting polymers to develop smart, soft, adaptable, and flexible devices that address research and clinical health monitoring, and therapy needs.

With an interdisciplinary team and collaborations across campus and beyond, the work they’re doing is already having an impact. One success was the development, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, they developed a highly sensitive test for the coronavirus. Through interdisciplinary work centered on materials science and engineering, the aim of the group is to contribute to the well-being of millions of people worldwide.