Integrative neural interface for brain disorders

12th May 2021

Timing : 1 pm EDT

For zoom link to the talks, please email mjgc@mit.edu with your institute email and mention affiliation


For a list of all talks at the NanoBio seminar Series Spring'21, see here


Brain functions and dysfunctions involve complex interactions between neural, vascular and other cellular activities in a dynamic and long-lasting manner. This vast complexity demands the ability to simultaneously resolve multifaceted brain activities at sufficient spatiotemporal resolution, and to longitudinally track their evolution over a long period of time. These requirements exceed the capability of any single neurotechnology. In this talk, I will discuss the development of the chronic multimodal neural interface that combines neural recording, imaging, and microstimulation, and the opportunities it enables in studying brain disorders. I will start with the development of ultraflexible nanoelectronics threads (NETs) for scar-free tissue integration and chronically stable intracortical neural recording, which also facilitated longitudinal optical imaging in the same brain regions. I will then demonstrate the ability to simultaneously resolve and longitudinally track hemodynamic and neural activities, and its application in a mouse model of stroke, from which we observe a substantial neurovascular uncoupling after injury. I will conclude with out on-going development of higher-resolution, larger scale neural interface and the opportunities it enables for understanding a broad spectrum of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.



Snow
Lan Luan
Assistant Professor,
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Department of Bioengineering,
Rice NeuroEngineering Initiative


Dr. Luan's research interest centers on the development of integrative neural interfaces that combine the state-of-art electrical, optical and other technologies to monitor and manipulate brain activity. The application of these neurotechnology advancements enables the fundamental investigation of neurological disorders and the development of novel therapies.