Implantable bioelectronics for gut electrophysiology

Alexander J. Boys, Amparo Güemes, Liang Ma, Rohit A. Gupta, Zixuan Lu, Chaeyeon Lee, Salim El-Hadwe, Alejandro Carnicer-Lombarte, Tobias E. Naegele, Friederike Uhlig, Damiano G. Barone, David C. Bulmer, Jennifer N. Gelinas, Niall P. Hyland, Dion Khodagholy, George G. Malliaras () and Róisín M. Owens ()
Additional contact information
Alexander J. Boys: University of Cambridge, Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology
Amparo Güemes: University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering
Liang Ma: University of California, Department of Electrical Engineering
Rohit A. Gupta: University of Cambridge, Department of Pharmacology
Zixuan Lu: University of Cambridge, Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology
Chaeyeon Lee: University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering
Salim El-Hadwe: University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering
Alejandro Carnicer-Lombarte: University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering
Tobias E. Naegele: University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering
Friederike Uhlig: University College Cork, Department of Physiology
Damiano G. Barone: University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering
David C. Bulmer: University of Cambridge, Department of Pharmacology
Jennifer N. Gelinas: University of California, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Niall P. Hyland: University College Cork, Department of Physiology
Dion Khodagholy: University of California, Department of Electrical Engineering
George G. Malliaras: University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering
Róisín M. Owens: University of Cambridge, Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract A major regulator of gastrointestinal physiology is the enteric nervous system. This division of the autonomic nervous system is unique in its extensiveness, with neurons distributed from the esophagus to the rectum, and its capability for local information processing. However, the constant motion of the gut, arising from its relative movements in the peritoneal cavity and the peristaltic movements associated with gut motility, as well as the sparse distribution of the neurons constituting the enteric nervous system, has made access and analysis exceedingly challenging. Here, we present the construction and validation of a bioelectronic implant for accessing neural information from the distal colon. Our bioelectronic monitoring system demonstrates real-time electrophysiological recording in response to chemical and mechanical distension under anesthesia and to feeding and stress in freely-moving animals. Direct access to the communication pathways of the enteric nervous system paves the way for neuromodulation strategies targeting the gut–brain axis.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65473-w

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