New graphene technology matures brain organoids faster, may unlock neurodegenerative insights

(Press-News.org) Researchers from University of California San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute have developed a novel method to stimulate and mature human brain organoids using graphene, a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon. Published in Nature Communications, the study introduces Graphene-Mediated Optical Stimulation (GraMOS), a safe, non-genetic, biocompatible, non-damaging way to influence neural activity over days to weeks. The approach accelerates brain organoid development — especially important for modeling age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease — and even allows them to control robotic devices in real time.

“This is a game-changer for brain research,” said Alysson Muotri, Ph.D., corresponding author, professor of pediatrics, and director of the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research Center. “We can now speed up brain organoid maturation without altering their genetic code, opening doors for disease research, brain–machine interfaces and other systems combining living brain cells with technology.”

A smarter way to grow the brain in a dish

Brain organoids — three-dimensional, stem cell-derived models of the human brain — are valuable for studying neurological diseases, but they usually mature slowly, limiting their usefulness for conditions that develop over decades. Until now, stimulation methods either required genetic modification (optogenetics) or direct electrical currents, which can damage fragile neurons.

GraMOS works by using graphene’s unique optoelectronic properties to convert light into gentle electrical cues that encourage neurons to connect and communicate. This stimulation mimics the environmental input real brains receive, driving development without invasive techniques.

“Using graphene and light, we were able to nudge the neurons to form connections and mature more rapidly, without traditional optogenetic tools,” said Elena Molokanova, Ph.D., co-corresponding author and chief executive officer and inventor of GraMOS technology at NeurANO Bioscience. “It’s like giving them a gentle push to grow up faster — essential for studying age-related diseases in a dish.”

Key study findings include:

Faster development: Regular use of GraMOS helped brain organoids form stronger connections, better organized networks, and more advanced communication between neurons — even in models made from Alzheimer’s patients. Safe and biocompatible: Graphene did not harm neurons or organoid structure, even over long periods. Enhanced disease modeling: Early-stage Alzheimer’s organoids revealed functional differences in network connectivity and excitability when stimulated. Robotic integration: Graphene-stimulated organoids were linked to a simple robot in a closed feedback loop, enabling it to respond to visual cues. From the lab to Alzheimer’s research and beyond

Because stimulation accelerates neural maturation, researchers can study disease progression sooner and in a more physiologically relevant context. This could improve drug testing timelines and provide new insight into how diseases like Alzheimer’s alter brain circuitry.

“Our technology bridges a critical gap in organoid research,” said Alex Savchenko, Ph.D., co-senior author and chief executive officer of Nanotools Bioscience. “It offers a reliable, repeatable way to activate neurons, which can transform both fundamental neuroscience and translational studies.”

Brain meets machine

Brain organoids interfaced with graphene become responsive to their environment and can change their neuronal networks in response to light. This acquired neuroplasticity offers a huge advantage over computer chips in future artificial intelligence (AI) applications by improving the ability of AI systems to solve complex, unforeseen problems and offering greater fault tolerance and reliability in critical applications.

In a striking proof-of-concept, the team connected graphene-interfaced brain organoids to a robotic system equipped with sensors. When the robot detected an obstacle, it sent a signal to stimulate the organoid, which then generated a neural pattern triggering the robot to change course — completing the loop in under 50 milliseconds.

While still far from conscious machines, this integration hints at future neuro-biohybrid systems where living neural tissue and robotics work together for advanced prosthetics, adaptive interfaces or even new forms of computation.

This study is a major step toward unlocking the potential of graphene in neuroscience, nanotechnology and neuroengineering. The technology could lead to new ways of connecting increasingly complex brain-like tissues to each other — and even to the brain itself. The ability to control and accelerate brain organoid development opens the door to using them as powerful models for testing therapies for neurodegenerative and developmental brain disorders, where damaged connections can disrupt the brain’s ability to process and respond to information.

Beyond disease research, the approach could be adapted for tissue engineering, offering a noninvasive, precise way to stimulate other types of lab-grown tissues. And by linking living neural networks to machines, researchers may discover how the brain’s adaptability and learning could enhance computers and robotics — with possible future applications in artificial intelligence.

"This is only the beginning,” said Muotri. “The combination of graphene’s versatility and brain organoid biology could redefine what’s possible in neuroscience, from understanding the brain to creating entirely new technological paradigms.”

Link to full study.

Additional co-authors on the study include: Mariana S.A. Ferraz, Angels Almenar-Queralt, Georgia Chaldaiopoulou, Janaina Sena de Souza, Francesca Puppo and Pinar Mesci from UC San Diego School of Medicine; Teng Zhou, Michael Reiss, Honieh Hemati, Francisco Downey and Omowuyi O. Olajide from UC San Diego School of Engineering; Pragna Vasupal from NeurANO Bioscience; Volodymyr P. Cherkas from Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry at the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology; Prashant Narute and Dmitry Kireev from University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Carolina Thörn Perez from Universidade Federal do ABC; and, Samuel L. Pfaff from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

The study was funded, in part, by the National Institutes of Health (A.S.: 1R43MH124563; A.R.M: 1R01MH128365, R01NS123642, 1R01ES033636, MH123828, MH127077, NS105969; EM: 1R43NS122666, 1R43AG076088, 5R44DA050393), Department of Defense W81XWH2110306 (to A.R.M.), the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (DISC2-13866 to A.S.), and the Long-term program of support of the Ukrainian research teams at the Polish Academy of Sciences carried out in collaboration with the U.S. National Academy of Sciences with the financial support of external partners to V.C.

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