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Non-genetic photostimulation is a novel and rapidly growing multidisciplinary field of research that aims to induce light sensitivity in living systems by exploiting exogeneous phototransducers.Here we propose a recently synthetized intramembrane photoswitch, based on an azobenzene derivative (Ziapin2), for optical pacing of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs).The light-mediated stimulation process has been studied by applying several characterization techniques to detect the effect on the cell properties. In particular, we recorded changes in membrane capacitance, in membrane potential (Vm), and modulation of intracellular Ca2+dynamics. Finally, cell contractility was analyzed using a custom MATLAB algorithm.Photostimulation of intramembrane Ziapin2 causes a transient Vmhyperpolarization followed by a delayed depolarization and action potential firing. The observed initial electrical modulation nicely correlates with changes in Ca2+dynamics and contraction rate.This work represents the proof of principle that Ziapin2 can modulate electrical activity and contractility in hiPSC-CMs, opening up a future development in cardiac physiology.

Peripheral nerve recording interfaces are a new frontier in neuroprosthetic applications. Nevertheless, an integrated medical device offering both electroneurographic (ENG) signal sensing and decoding is still missing. This paper aims to summarize the process of integrating existing technologies into a full-stack recording device. To this end, the system requirements are provided, together with a description of the building blocks that compose a recording interface: electrode, acquisition system, classification algorithm, power and communication units. The core of our contribution is a detailed analysis of the unsolved conflicts which arise during the assembling process, followed by the proposal of a few compromise solutions.