WiseCure__________________________________________________

 

 Wireless, Scalable and Implantable Optogenetics for Neurological Disorders Cure

EU H2020 MSCA-IF (GA n.893822)

(November 2020 - October 2022)

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This Fellowship aims to bring novel wireless, scalable, and bio-integrated neural implants for optogenetics to treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy.

WHY?

Neurological disorders are diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by neurological disorders. The ability to decipher brain functions and understand the neuronal communication networking properties to develop innovative solutions holds the key to treat such neurological diseases.


Asset 1OPTOGENETICS

Optogenetics  is a neural modulation technique which utilizes light to stimulate genetically engineered neurons, providing a better option for controlling the neurons compared to conventional electrical stimulation.

CHALLENGES

Scientists pursuing optogenetic therapies still face some technical challenges (e.g. size and multifunctional capability, biointegration, wireless capability, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compatibility that keeping optogenetics from clinical trials for brain diseases. This Fellowship will combine the innovative wireless power transfer (WPT) approaches with ultrathin, soft and flexible biocompatible polymeric platforms to fabricate and characterize neural implants that are small enough to promote scalability, chronic reliability, and MRI compatibility. 

Outline MSCA RupamOBJECTIVES

  • Develop unique self-tracked WPT system for optogenetics. 

  • Achieve versatile wireless optogenetics control using neural implants via a smart device for epilepsy 

  •  Validate MRI-compatible and biointegrated neural implants to enable chronic in vivo optogenetics. 

RESULTS & OUTREACH

keep following for updates on exciting research and publications!!!

 

PEOPLE

 RupamRUPAM DAS (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow)

I am a Biomedical engineer with a strong background in biomedical implantable devices and electromagnetic theories. I hold a MSc and a PhD in Electrical Engineering, received from the University of Ulsan, South Korea. My current research focuses on the development of wireless neural implants. 

My futuristic vision is to integrate the wireless neuromodulating system into smart healthcare using mobile and electronic technology for betterdiagnosis of the brain diseases, improved treatment, and enhanced quality of lives.

 

Collaborators:

Hadi new HADI HEIDARI (Supervisor)

I am an engineer and I hold a PhD in Microelectronics. My research is motivated by the potential of technology for diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. I have a strong expertise in wearable and implantable microelectronic devices acquired both in academia and industry.

I lead the Microelectronics lab at the University of Glasgow, where we focus on miniaturizing devices for implantable microelectronics and on neural interfaces.

Giulia Bio a887eee9GIULIA CURIA (Supervisor at the Seconding Institution)

I hold a MSc in Biological Sciences and a PhD in General Physiology. After several years of international experience, I returned to Italy and established myself at UNIMORE thanks to the program "Rientro dei Cervelli". I have a strong background in epilepsy research, by means of in vitro and in vivo  electrophysiology, built across 20 years of national and international experience. 

Eve McGlynn webEVE McGLYNN (Phd Student)

I graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2019 with an MEng in Electronics and Electrical Engineering. My experience is in antenna design, and I have a keen interest in electromagnetics.

Currently, I am involved in the fabrication and encapsulation of implantable neural probes for recording and brain stimulation.

LinkedIn4.png FINLAY WALTON (EPSRC Doctoral Prize Research Fellow)

I am a materials scientist and hold a PhD in Chemical Physics from University of Glasgow. I specialise in nanofabrication, manipulation of matter using light and electric fields and implantable devices. My research as an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Research Fellow involves designing, fabricating and developing state of the art light sources for Optogenetics, which will be integrated into a wirelessly powered, biocompatible implantable device in collaboration with my colleagues in the WiseCURE and HERMES projects.

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Huxi WANG (Phd Student)

I am a PhD student that graduated from the University of Glasgow with a BEng in Electronics and Electrical  Engineering. I have experiences in PIFA design, and now I am working on the flexible circuits.

Currently, I am involved in the design and fabrication of the flexible antenna/analogue front-end for the implantable neural probes.

INSPIRED BY

  • Deisseroth, K. "Optogenetics". Nat Methods 8, 26–29 (2011).
  • R. Das, A. Basir and H. Yoo, "A Metamaterial-Coupled Wireless Power Transfer System Based on Cubic High-Dielectric Resonators," in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 66, no. 9, pp. 7397-7406, Sept. 2019, doi: 10.1109/TIE.2018.2879310.
  • R. Das, F. Moradi and H. Heidari, "Biointegrated and Wirelessly Powered Implantable Brain Devices: A Review," in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 343-358, April 2020, doi: 10.1109/TBCAS.2020.2966920.
  • J. A. Rogers et al., "Stretchable multichannel antennas in soft wireless optoelectronic implants for optogenetics" PNAS (2016) 113 (50) E8169-E8177.
  • J. S. Ho et al.,"Self-tracking energy transfer for neural stimulation in untethered mice" Phys. Rev. Applied 4, 024001, 2015