Bio-integrative design of the neural tissue-device interface

[Display omitted] •Bio-integrative strategies promote neural tissue-device integration.•Surface modifications camouflage the surface and promote neuron attachment.•Drug delivery dampens the local inflammation and encourages axonal ingrowth.•Matching the tissue mechanics and architecture enhances device integration.•Biohybrids incorporating live cell and tissue components offer new opportunities. Neural implants enable bidirectional communications with nervous tissue and have demonstrated tremendous potential in research and clinical applications. To obtain high fidelity and stable information exchange, we need to minimize the undesired host responses and achieve intimate neuron-device interaction. This paper highlights the key bio-integrative strategies aimed at seamless integration through intelligent device designs to minimize the immune responses, as well as incorporate bioactive elements to actively modulate cellular reactions. These approaches span from surface modification and bioactive agent delivery, to biomorphic and biohybrid designs. Many of these strategies have shown effectiveness in functional outcome measures, others are exploratory but with fascinating potentials. The combination of bio-integrative strategies may synergistically promote the next generation of neural interfaces.