An ultrasound-scanning in vivo light source

Nature materials
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Shan Jiang, Marigold G Malinao, Fan Yang, Yushun Zeng, Silky S Hou, Xiang Wu, Nicholas J Rommelfanger, Lata Chaunsali, Su Zhao, Han Cui, Jun Ding, Xiaoke Chen, Qifa Zhou, Harald Sontheimer, Guosong Hong

Nat Mater. 2026 Apr 13. doi: 10.1038/s41563-026-02556-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Biological systems operate across distributed regions with fast, localized dynamics, yet existing biointerfaces fall short of providing both high spatiotemporal precision and the ability to dynamically target any region without disturbing surrounding tissue. Here we present an in vivo deep-tissue light source based on focused ultrasound scanning of mechanoluminescent nanotransducers circulating through the vasculature. We demonstrate the programmability of this approach in tissue-mimicking phantoms and the endogenous circulatory system of animals, where tunable spatial resolution and dynamic light patterning are achieved. We validate the functionality of the ultrasound-scanning light source in opsin-expressing neurons through electrophysiological recordings and immunostaining in both the brain and the spinal cord. We showcase dynamic three-dimensional brain targeting and temporally resolved behavioural control in freely moving animals via the ultrasound-scanning in vivo light source. This non-invasive deep-tissue light source offers a versatile strategy for body-wide optical interfacing.

PMID:41975079 | DOI:10.1038/s41563-026-02556-z