This special collection explores the rapidly evolving field of wearable and implantable electronic devices. These integrated microsystems leverage state-of-the-art technologies in electrical, magnetic, optical, and ultrasound neuromodulation and recording to interact with biological tissues (Hu et al. 2024). Designed to be soft, flexible, stretchable, biocompatible, and minimally invasive, these devices enable long-term implantation (Yifei et al. 2024). They are engineered for adaptability, featuring self-learning capabilities and the ability to adjust and upgrade themselves to meet changing therapeutic needs, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, continuous operation of these devices is enabled through the integration of wireless power transfer, physiological energy harvesting, multiplexed signal acquisition, local signal processing, and wireless data transmission, facilitating the development of soft, multimodal, and scalable flexible electronic systems for reliable long-term biointerfacing (Won et al. 2018, De Ridder et al. 2024). Recent breakthroughs in materials science and microfabrication have facilitated the seamless integration of bioelectronic devices with the human body. Emerging technologies such as electronic skin, neural stimulation electrodes, and optogenetics have demonstrated significant potential in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases, inflammatory conditions, and other complex disorders, improving treatment precision and effectiveness (Wu et al. 2023, Liu et al. 2024a). These innovations not only advance the development of wearable and implantable devices but also provide solid technical support for smart healthcare and precision medicine. They are expected to have a profound and lasting impact on the future of medical care. [...]