Project description DEENESFRITPL Innovative electronics for brain–spine interfaces Bioelectronic medical devices, such as brain–spine interfaces, assist in the treatment of sensorimotor and cognitive deficits. However, the biological and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying treatment are poorly understood. The EU-funded REFLEX project seeks to improve the interfaces’ power and packaging technology and achieve real-time monitoring of neural pathways. The project will use innovative technologies, more specifically the picojoule/bit energy efficiency in wireless backscatter communication and conformable, compatible circuit boards. Via high spatiotemporal resolution monitoring of neural pathways, the project will test the effectiveness of targeted therapies in regenerating damaged neural pathways in the spinal cord. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Emerging bioelectronic medical devices, such as brain-spine interfaces (BSI), are improving treatments of the pathophysiological processes at the root of sensorimotor and cognitive disorders. Despite the emerging success of BSIs, the biological and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying treatments remain poorly understood. A significant barrier to their description is the lack of minimally invasive BSIs for real-time, closed-loop monitoring of electrophysiological markers involved in the stabilization and regeneration of neural pathways. REFLEX seeks to overcome the power and packaging barriers that have held back real-time monitoring of neural pathways by leveraging two innovative technologies: (1) the picojoule/bit energy efficiency of wireless backscatter communication and (2) the conformable, compatible circuit boards. REFLEX will enable high spatial and temporal resolution monitoring of neural pathways by providing up to 16 channels for electrophysiological recording at up to 20 kSamples/sec with 16-bit resolution per channel (≥5Mbps total data rate) at <2 mW of total power consumption for recording. By incorporating a low power LED for optogenetic stimulation of neurons, REFLEX will test the effectiveness of targeted therapies to regenerate damaged neural pathways in the spinal cord. The proposed project aligns with the MSCA mission by facilitating the two-way transfer of knowledge in material science, electrical engineering, and neuroscience between the host and the applicant. It combines the applicant’s expertise in wireless backscatter communications and electronic instrumentation with the host laboratory’s expertise in conformable electrode design and interdisciplinary breakthroughs in implantable systems. Through hands-on research, formal training, and new collaborations, the applicant will enhance his research expertise, broaden his professional skill sets, and mature his competencies as a mobile researcher, engineer, and educator. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologysocial scienceseducational sciencesdidacticsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technology Keywords Backscatter communication RFID neural recording Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2020 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2020 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE Net EU contribution € 191 149,44 Address BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1 1015 Lausanne Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 191 149,44
