Flexible and stretchable bioelectronics for organoids

Abstract Organoids have gained significant interest due to their ability to recapitulate the structural, molecular, and functional complexity of corresponding organs. While methods have been developed to characterize and benchmark organoid structural and molecular properties, capturing the functional development and maturation of organoids remains challenging. To address this, the development of multifunctional bioelectronics for interfacing with organoids has been actively pursued. However, conventional electronics face limitations in achieving multifunctional recording and control across the entire three-dimensional (3D) volume of organoids in a long-term stable manner due to the large morphological and cellular composition changes during development. In this review, we first discuss the application of conventional electronics for organoid interfacing. We then focus on the development of flexible and stretchable electronics designed to create organoid/electronics hybrids for chronically stable interfaces. We also review recent advancements in flexible multifunctional electronics for charting multimodal cell activities throughout development. Furthermore, we explore the integration of flexible bioelectronics with other characterization modalities for comprehensive multimodal charting of cells within 3D tissues. Finally, we discuss the potential of integrating artificial intelligence into the organoid system through embedded electronics, harnessing organoid intelligence for biosymbiotic computational systems. These advancements could provide valuable tools for characterizing organoid functional development and maturation, establishing patient-specific models, developing therapeutic opportunities, and exploring novel computational strategies. Graphical abstract