Nanobiohybrid-based Bio-Solar Cell to Regulate The Electrical Signal Transmission to Living Cells for Biomedical Application.

Bio-solar cells have been studied as sustainable and biocompatible energy sources with significant potential for biomedical applications. However, they are composed of light-harvesting biomolecules with narrow absorption wavelengths and weak transient photocurrent generation. In this study, a nanobiohybrid-based bio-solar cell composed of bacteriorhodopsin, chlorophyllin, and Ni/TiO 2 nanoparticles is developed for the first time to overcome the current limitations and verify the possibility of biomedical applications. Bacteriorhodopsin and chlorophyllin are introduced as light-harvesting biomolecules to broaden the absorption wavelength. As a photocatalyst, Ni/TiO 2 nanoparticles are introduced to generate a photocurrent and amplify the photocurrent generated by the biomolecules. The developed bio-solar cell absorbed a broad range of visible wavelengths and generated an amplified stationary photocurrent density (152.6 nA/cm 2 ) with a long lifetime (up to 1 month). Besides, the electrophysiological signals of muscle cells at neuromuscular junctions are precisely regulated by motor neurons excited by the photocurrent of the bio-solar cell, indicating that the bio-solar cell can control living cells by signal transmission through other types of living cells. The proposed nanobiohybrid-based bio-solar cell can be used as a sustainable and biocompatible energy source for the development of wearable and implantable biodevices and bioelectronic medicines for humans. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.