Development of optically controlled "living electrodes" with long-projecting axon tracts for a synaptic brain-machine interface.

Authors

Dayo O. Adewole, University of Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Laura A. Struzyna, University of Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Justin C. Burrell, University of Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
James P. Harris, University of Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Ashley D. Nemes, University of Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Dmitriy Petrov, University of Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Reuben H. Kraft, The Pennsylvania State University
H. Isaac Chen, University of Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Mijail D. Serruya, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Neurodelphus LLC; Thomas Jefferson University; Nuromo LLCFollow
John A. Wolf, University of Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
D. Kacy Cullen, University of Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-22-2021

Comments

This article is the author’s final published version in Science Advances, Volume 7, Issue 4, January 2021, Article number eaay5347.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aay5347. Copyright © Adewole et al.

Abstract

For implantable neural interfaces, functional/clinical outcomes are challenged by limitations in specificity and stability of inorganic microelectrodes. A biological intermediary between microelectrical devices and the brain may improve specificity and longevity through (i) natural synaptic integration with deep neural circuitry, (ii) accessibility on the brain surface, and (iii) optogenetic manipulation for targeted, light-based readout/control. Accordingly, we have developed implantable "living electrodes," living cortical neurons, and axonal tracts protected within soft hydrogel cylinders, for optobiological monitoring/modulation of brain activity. Here, we demonstrate fabrication, rapid axonal outgrowth, reproducible cytoarchitecture, and simultaneous optical stimulation and recording of these tissue engineered constructs in vitro. We also present their transplantation, survival, integration, and optical recording in rat cortex as an in vivo proof of concept for this neural interface paradigm. The creation and characterization of these functional, optically controllable living electrodes are critical steps in developing a new class of optobiological tools for neural interfacing.

Recommended Citation

Adewole, Dayo O.; Struzyna, Laura A.; Burrell, Justin C.; Harris, James P.; Nemes, Ashley D.; Petrov, Dmitriy; Kraft, Reuben H.; Chen, H. Isaac; Serruya, Mijail D.; Wolf, John A.; and Cullen, D. Kacy, "Development of optically controlled "living electrodes" with long-projecting axon tracts for a synaptic brain-machine interface." (2021). Department of Neurology Faculty Papers. Paper 234.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/neurologyfp/234

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

PubMed ID

33523957

Language

English