MIBE Seminar: Engineering Wireless, Nanoscale Neuroelectrodes: Chemical, Materials and Neurobiological Perspectives (Part 2)

Topic: Engineering Wireless, Nanoscale Neuroelectrodes: Chemical, Materials and Neurobiological Perspectives (Part 2)

Speaker: Prachi Kumari & Hannah Wunderlich, Doctoral Candidates (Kozielski Group)

Date and Time: Tuesday, 21 June 2022, 1:00 pm

Abstract: Neurostimulators are an effective method for the treatment of various neurological diseases. Since current devices are often bulky, and carry increased risks during surgery, work is progressing on ways to create smaller, minimally invasive neurostimulators - such as nanoparticles. Our research focuses on using magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs), which generate an electrical output in response to a magnetic field input. Through this electrical signal, neurons can be remotely stimulated without genetic modification. Our research is broadly divided into the fields of chemistry, materials science and neurobiology: Aleksandra will discuss the structure and synthesis of these MENPs. Consecutively, she will discuss the results obtained by the following methods: XRD, TEM, SEM and AGM. Following which, Prachi will introduce the materials modeling aspect of the MENP from ab-initio calculations. Finally, Hannah will talk about neurobiological applications of MENPs. In addition, options of modifying the surface of MENPs to improve their circulation time in the blood, ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, and improvement of their tissue penetration will be considered. Our discussion will provide an insight into improved, non-invasive neurostimulators on the nanoscale.