Laboratory to further neuroelectronics research

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Oct 19, 2005

IMEC has set up a neuroelectronics convergence laboratory, which it reckons is unique in Europe.

IMEC has set up a neuroelectronics convergence laboratory, which it reckons is unique in Europe.

Experts in molecular biology, cell biology, medicine, microelectronic engineering and physical sciences from IMEC, the Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology (VIB) and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) will use this infrastructure containing multidisciplinary tools with the common goal of developing neuroelectronic systems.

This kind of daily interaction is necessary to unleash the full potential of neuroelectronic hybrid systems for both medical and industrial applications.

"We believe that the creation of such a multidisciplinary laboratory is the best way to merge the expertise available in life sciences and in microelectronics and to make these distant worlds speak the same language", says Carmen Bartic, Team Leader - Cell-Based Sensors and Systems.

"The expertise on nano- and microtechnologies, available at IMEC will be complemented by the expertise of the VIB, the KU Leuven and the University Hospital of Leuven (UZ Leuven) on molecular biology, cell biology and medicine".

"Also, they will give specialised support concerning the necessary biosafety and regulatory affairs".

"These kinds of initiatives are essential to ensure fast progress in neuroelectronics and its implementation towards medical and industrial applications".

The neuroelectronics convergence lab provides facilities for semiconductor processing, nanotechnologies, biosensor fabrication, cell culture, molecular biology and electrophysiology.

Research in the convergence lab will cover two main topics.

Neurons-on-chip for in-vitro applications are hybrid systems comprising patterned neuronal networks on top of a chip surface.

Highly sensitive and efficient transducers are designed to pick up and/or trigger both electrical and chemical neuronal signals.

The main goal of this research area is to develop tools that enable to study the neuronal communication, and thus give insight in brain diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Neuroprobes for in-vivo applications are microfabricated arrays of sensors and actuators to be implanted in the brain for deep-brain stimulation and in-situ monitoring of the neuronal activity.

Several projects on this topic were set up together with the Department of Human Genetics, Physiology and Experimental Functional and Steretactic Neurosurgery of the KU Leuven.

In future, such neuroprobes may find utility in the treatment of movement disorders (eg Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia) or obsessive-compulsive disorders.

This initiative builds further on IMEC's current expertise in neuroelectronics focusing on the development of field-effect transistors for the detection of electrical and chemical neuronal signals, on surface chemistry, and on guidance techniques for neurons by means of chemical and topographical cues.