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Novel Nanoengineered Optoelectronic Biointerfaces

Descrizione del progetto

Interfacce biocompatibili di fotostimolazione neurale con proprietà avanzate

Lo sviluppo di interfacce neurali ingegnerizzate in grado di collegare dispositivi di fattura umana al tessuto neurale mediante tecnologia antropica potrebbe aprire la strada al trattamento di molte malattie e condizioni neurologiche. La progettazione e il controllo a livello atomico di nanostrutture e nanomateriali all’interfaccia con i neuroni potrebbe rivoluzionare il livello di risoluzione a cui è possibile controllare la risposta neurale. Il progetto NOVELNOBI, finanziato dal Consiglio europeo della ricerca, affronterà questa sfida concentrandosi sulla fotostimolazione neurale. La squadra adibita ai lavori migliorerà la comprensione del processo di fotostimolazione neurale attraverso una nuova applicazione della meccanica quantistica, svilupperà nuovi nanocristalli colloidali biocompatibili per la fotostimolazione neurale e li integrerà in interfacce neurali biocompatibili con funzionalità avanzate.

Obiettivo

Interfacing with neural tissues is an important scientific goal to understand cellular processes and to combat nervous-system related diseases. Nanotechnology has a significant potential for the development of new neural interfaces. The atomic-level design and control of the nanostructures for neural interfacing can revolutionize the junction between neurons and nanomaterials. In this project, we propose a totally new approach for understanding fundamental requirements and from this knowledge designing customised nanomaterials with optimised characteristics. These will be used to develop and demonstrate unconventional neural interfaces that are ultimately designed, controlled and constructed at the nanoscale. Hence, the key objectives of this proposal are: (1) to use quantum mechanics in a new way to control and explore the neural photostimulation mechanism, (2) to explore, design and synthesize new biocompatible colloidal nanocrystals for neural photostimulation, to overcome the limitations in terms of toxic material contents (e.g. cadmium, lead, mercury, etc.), (3) to demonstrate novel biocompatible neural interfaces with exciton and quantum funnels, and plasmonic nanostructures for enhanced spectral sensitivity and dynamic range. This new approach from quantum mechanical design to nanocrystal assembly will enable exploring, tuning and controlling the underlying physical mechanisms of neural photostimulation. Furthermore, the biocompatible nanomaterials will result in a more reliable nanobiojunction. The funnel and plasmon structures will lead to unprecedented spectral sensitivities and dynamic ranges that are far beyond the state-of-the-art optoelectronic interfaces. The project is therefore expected to have high impact and may herald a new paradigm in neural interfacing. NOVELNOBI is expected to attract significant attention of researchers from diverse fields such as photonics, nanomaterials, photomedicine and neuroscience.

Meccanismo di finanziamento

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

Istituzione ospitante

KOC UNIVERSITY
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 1 500 000,00
Indirizzo
RUMELI FENERI YOLU SARIYER
34450 Istanbul
Turchia

Mostra sulla mappa

Regione
İstanbul İstanbul İstanbul
Tipo di attività
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Collegamenti
Costo totale
€ 1 500 000,00

Beneficiari (1)