JoVE | Peer Reviewed Scientific Video Journal

TOPICAL COLLECTIONS

Touchless Communication: Light-Mediated Methods for Non-Invasive Biological Applications

Guest Editors

Francesco Lodola

University of Milano-Bicocca

Prof. Francesco Lodola is a physiologist with more than 10 years of experience in cardiovascular research. He graduated in Biotechnology in 2007 and received my PhD in Physiology and Neuroscience at the University of Pavia in 2012. He then joined IRCCS ICS Maugeri in Pavia and later the Centre for Nano Science and Technology (IIT@PoliMI) based in Milano. Currently, He acts as an associate professor in Physiology at the University of Milano-Bicocca. He has developed a strong interest in biophysics and acquired a hands-on experience in both basic and translational research. His main goal is to solve problems in physiology and medicine of the cardiovascular system through multidisciplinary and ground-breaking approaches.

Vito Vurro

University of Bologna

Dr. Vito Vurro got a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physics respectively in 2014 at the University of Bari and in 2017 at the University of Bologna working on signal processing and organic semiconductor-based devices. He then received the PhD in Physics from Politecnico di Milano in 2021 with a dissertation about non-genetic methods for muscle tissue photostimulation. He did a post-doc at the Centre for Nano Science and Technology (IIT@PoliMI) based in Milano where he developed light-controlled bio-hybrid actuators. He is now a post-doc at University of Bologna working on material for textile electronics and bioelectronics. He carries on his research working on the physics of the interface and the materials characterization for different applications ranging from sensors to robotics, rehabilitation, and biomedical application.

Collection Overview

Optical stimulation is gaining rapid momentum as a groundbreaking alternative to conventional stimulation cues (i.e., electrical, chemical, mechanical), particularly for biological and therapeutic applications. This field of research, which spans various disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, tissue engineering, and material science, provides a remarkable level of spatial and temporal resolution and unparalleled possibilities for non-invasive interaction within intact cells and living animals.

The Methods Collection presented here serves as a valuable toolkit for researchers delving into this innovative topic by offering insights into both established methods, such as optogenetics, and emerging alternatives involving organic or inorganic phototransducers. We aim to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date resource that consolidates various techniques and methodologies related to the optical stimulation of living systems.

The collection is open to contributions that not only shed light upon the theoretical underpinnings of these techniques but also provide practical guidelines for implementation, fostering a deeper understanding and widespread adoption within the research community.