Project description DEENESFRITPL New generation of CMOS-based neural probes The introduction of high-density implantable neural probes based on complementary metal–oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology is a big step forward in neuroscience. These new probes provide simultaneous access to thousands of single neurons in different brain circuits, introducing hundreds of closely spaced microelectrodes into the substrate for recording extracellular bioelectrical signals. Current CMOS probes are not suitable for stable chronic implants and potential clinical applications in brain–machine interfaces or neuroprosthetics. To achieve this, a proposed solution is to minimise tissue reactions and improve the stability of implantable probes based on downscaling the sizes of the probes and the overall system. The EU-funded ChroMOS project will therefore work towards the exploitation of the key advantages of CMOS neural probes together with the optimisation of circuits, materials and microfabrication processes. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The recent advent of active high-density implantable neural probes based on CMOS technology is a big leap forward in neuroscience. Unprecedentedly, these new probes provide simultaneous access to several thousands of single-neurons in different brain circuits. Although realized with different circuit’s architectures, such devices combine the use of standard CMOS and MEMS technologies to realize monolithic active dense probes that integrate into the same substrate hundreds of closely spaced microelectrodes together with electronic circuits for recording extracellular bioelectrical signals. However, despite their unique value, current CMOS-probes are not yet adapted for chronically stable implants and this is a major drawback both for neuroscience research as well as for growing potential clinical applications in fields such as brain-machine-interfaces or neuroprosthetics.An emerging hypothesis to minimize tissue-reactions and improve chronic stability of implantable probes consists in downscaling the cross-sectional sizes of their shafts as well as the overall system size. This fellowship proposes a deep study of this hypothesis by exploiting key advantages of monolithic CMOS based neural probes together with the optimization of circuits, materials and microfabrication processes. I will exploit my background in MEMs technologies and acquire new expertise in neuroscience to evaluate solutions for reducing CMOS shanks dimensions (20-80 µm width, 15-30 µm thick), strategies to improve tissue-materials interfaces, and to assess the effects of these features on brain tissue responses and recording performances. This will lead to ChroMOS probes with a very thin and uniform width (tens of microns) through all the shaft, and with electrode densities up to 1000 sites/mm2. This can lead to remarkably stable probe’s implants with large-scale single-neuron recording capabilities, far behind current technologies. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants 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-2019 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Net EU contribution € 183 473,28 Address Via morego 30 16163 Genova Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova Activity type Research Organisations 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 Other funding € 0,00
