Yuanwen Jiang is committed to transforming breakthroughs in physical sciences and engineering into novel bioelectronic tools to address unmet medical needs. Through fundamental innovations in materials and devices, he has enabled several breakthroughs in the field of bioelectronics, including unprecedented demonstrations of non-genetic optical control of animal behaviors, organ-specific neuromodulation with single-nucleus precision, and closed-loop management of chronic wounds.
He developed a new class of conducting polymers based on topological supramolecular networks. By synergistically designing both the chemical composition and topological structure, this novel molecular engineering strategy overcomes the inherent trade-off in traditional electronic materials between good mechanical stretchability and high electrical conductivity. Additionally, this new material is compatible with high-precision device fabrication processes, unlocking previously challenging physiological applications such as electrophysiological recording at cellular resolution in soft-bodied animals like octopuses, and precise modulation of single neural nuclei within complex brainstem structures to achieve muscle responses at the organ-specific level.
Furthermore, utilizing advanced characterization techniques to guide bottom-up chemical synthesis, Yuanwen built a comprehensive library of silicon-based inorganic semiconducting materials with unique photo-responses. These materials have since enabled a range of high-precision, optically controlled biological applications, including the modulation of intracellular calcium signaling and intercellular communication through neurotransmitter release. Through further optimization of material design and device fabrication, he achieved the first successful optical control of animal behavior in a non-genetic manner. By combining the advantages of electrical stimulation (i.e., non-genetic) and optogenetics (i.e., high resolution), this non-genetic optical neuromodulation method offers new opportunities for clinical translation in the treatment of neurological disorders in humans.
In addition, Yuanwen developed a fully integrated smart bandage that enables long-term monitoring and closed-loop management of chronic wound healing and infection. By integrating a wireless, flexible electronic system with a skin-interfacing, low-impedance conductive hydrogel with on-demand tissue adhesion and detachment, the device effectively controls wound infection and accelerates healing and tissue regeneration.
