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Providing oxygen for cells to breathe in a hypoxic environment through electrochemical water splitting

Implantable cell therapies and tissue transplants depend on adequate oxygen supply for proper function, but are often constrained by delayed or insufficient vascularization from the host. Existing external oxygenation approaches have been hindered by their bulky design and limited capacity for controlled oxygen production.

Our lab is developing an electrocatalytic strategy that enables precise bioelectronic control of oxygen generation within complex cellular environments. This approach sustains the viability and therapeutic function of engineered cells under hypoxic conditions and at high cell densities. We have identified nanostructured sputtered iridium oxide as an optimal catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction at physiological pH. Through on-site electrocatalytic water splitting using our designed nanocatalysts, we have demonstrated maintained cell viability both in vitro and in vivo, as well as enhanced therapeutic potency of leptin-producing ARPE-19 cells.

Our long-term objectives include expanding oxygen distribution into three-dimensional architectures to maximize the surface-to-volume ratio, thereby improving cellular contact for more effective electrogenetic activation and oxygenation. Additionally, we are working to extend operational longevity beyond one year through advanced ecO2 manufacturing techniques and surface modifications that enhance electrocatalyst stability.