Implanted flexible electronics reveal principles of human islet cell electrical maturation

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Source: Science Magazine

Original: https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.aeb3295?af=R...

Published: 2026-02-19T08:00:00Z

Researchers have created "cyborg" pancreatic organoids by combining flexible miniature electronics and pancreatic islets derived from stem cells.[1][2] They implanted a thin conductive network thinner than a human hair into the developing tissue, which records the electrical activity of individual alpha and beta cells of the islets.[1][2][4] Alpha and beta cells secrete the hormones glucagon and insulin in response to changes in electrical membrane potential.[1] Electronics made it possible to monitor electrical activity during cell maturation for up to two months at the level of a single cell.[2][4] Stimulation with the natural 24-hour rhythm of electrical activity promoted cell maturation, improved their response to glucose, and synchronized hormone secretion.[1][2][5] This approach reveals the principles of electrical maturation of human islet cells and offers potential for studying the biology and developing diabetes therapies.[1][3]