Objective The NEURONANO network proposes to integrate carbon nano-tubes (CNT) with multi-electrode array (MEA) technology to develop new generation biochips to help repair damaged central nervous system (CNS) tissues. This objective will be reached by adopting a mul ti-disciplinary approach and by crossing the boundaries among Materials Science, Nano and Micro-technology, and Neuroscience. The impact of carbon nan-otubes on multi-electrode array (MEA) technology and therefore on neuro-implant technology represents a fi rst step toward CNS nanoengineering. Our approach is to push ahead the application and fictionalization of carbon nano-tubes in the CNS by focusing on CNT chemistry, peptide and surface chemistry and two complex networks in cultures: the spinal cord (locomotor networks) and brain (hippocampus and neocortex networks). We will concentrate on the complex electrical activity of these networks once grown on implantable substrates. We are specifically interested in understanding how the components underlying electrical activity are organized when implemented with semi-conductive substrates, and how this organization changes in the presence of molecular cues or chronic stimulations. The research plan has three major aims: i) to answer fundamental questions ab out the biophysical interactions between nano-materials and neurons ii) to exploit carbon nano-tubes in the presentation of positive and negative cues, thus providing specific molecular environment to favour axonal regeneration and retargeting; iii) to deve lop the characterization of novel MEA/nano-tube integrated devices, for multi-site extra-cellular stimulation and recording. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesdevelopmental biologymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologytissue engineeringnatural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycomputational neuroscienceengineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesmicrotechnology Programme(s) FP6-NMP - Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices: thematic priority 3 under the 'Focusing and integrating community research' of the 'Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area' specific programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) NMP-2004-3.4.1.2-1 - Using nature as model for new nanotechnology-based processes Call for proposal FP6-2004-NMP-TI-4 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI TRIESTE Address Piazzale europa 1 Trieste Italy See on map Links Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE France EU contribution € 0,00 Address Rue michel-ange 3 Paris See on map Links Website Opens in new window Other funding No data SZILARDTESTFIZIKAI ES OPTIKAI KUTATOINTEZETE-MAGYAR TUDOMANYOS AKADEMIA Hungary EU contribution € 0,00 Address Konkoly thege u. 29-33 Budapest See on map Links Website Opens in new window Other funding No data THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM Israel EU contribution € 0,00 Address The hebrew university, mt scopus Jerusalem See on map Links Website Opens in new window Other funding No data MULTI CHANNEL SYSTEMS MCS GMBH Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address Aspenhaustrasse 21 Reutlingen See on map Links Website Opens in new window Other funding No data ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE Switzerland EU contribution € 0,00 Address Ecublens Lausanne See on map Links Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
