Description du projet
Des microrobots dans le cerveau pour l’activation et la neurostimulation multimodales
Les neurones communiquent et effectuent des tâches grâce à une interaction complexe de mécanismes de signalisation, dont des changements électriques, chimiques (moléculaires et ioniques) et thermiques. Leur participation dans une tâche donnée peut être mesurée en partie par des signaux générés durant leur dépolarisation et leur repolarisation, tant individuellement qu’en tant qu’activité synchrone de nombreuses cellules (potentiels de champs extracellulaires). L’ambitieux projet CROSSBRAIN, financé par le CEI, développera un essaim de microrobots sans fil, implantables, compatibles avec les IRM, capables de détecter l’activité électrique au niveau des cellules et des circuits, et de moduler la stimulation électrique des cellules, selon les besoins. Pour ce faire, il recourra à des actionneurs multimodaux soutenus par l’informatique en périphérie extrême facilitée par la communication et la capture d’énergie miniaturisées et sans fil embarquées.
Objectif
A vast number of pathological brain conditions directly involve aberrant electrical activity of the brain. CROSSBRAIN centres its technological revolution on the convergence of novel nanoactuation modalities, bleeding-edge nano-electronics, and miniaturized wireless energy harvesting and communication. Combining extreme edge computing with advanced nanomaterials featuring tailored physical properties, biocompatible coatings, and material modifications to prevent glial scarring, CROSSBRAIN will enable individualized, adaptive and highly spatiotemporally localized actuation of brain tissue. It will leverage sensing electric local field potentials, multiunit neuronal activity, and cross-modal nanomaterial-based modulation (electrical, mechanical, thermal, ionic concentration, optogenetics) of neuronal excitability with on-board intelligence. The CROSSBRAIN platform comprises a swarm of wireless, implantable, MRI-compatible microbots for in vivo electrophysiology and cross-modal neuromodulation at the cell- and microcircuit levels, in freely moving rodents. CROSSBRAIN delivers a multiplicity of stimulation modalities, involving electro-mechano-magneto-thermo-optical principles for modulation of nerve cell excitability. The microbots will feature both sensing and actuation electrodes, engineered with nanomaterials and viral vectors coatings. They will be implanted endovascularly, deliver genetic material upon command, and operate in federation under the networked control and wireless power supply by a tiny central unit, which can be worn like an internet of things device. CROSSBRAIN will deliver autonomous or manual, closed-loop sensing, prediction, and actuation through combining multiple neuromodulation mechanisms, which will act in a synergistic and dynamic manner to optimally shape stimulation according to individual neuronal firing patterns or clinician’s needs. As case studies, we will explore CROSSBRAIN action in animal models of Parkinson’s Disease and Epilepsy.
Champ scientifique
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyepilepsy
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternet
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technology
Mots‑clés
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme
Régime de financement
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC GrantsCoordinateur
00133 Roma
Italie