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Hybrid biophotonic interfaces for modulating brain activity in health and disease
Abstract

The grand challenge in biomedical engineering is to develop methods for interfacing optical stimuli with the nervous system. LIGHT4BRAIN aims at developing near-infrared-sensitive semiconductive polymer and photochromic nanoparticles as non-genetic light actuators for neuronal activation in the central nervous system. Goal is to interrogate specific brain circuits and compensate for nervous system pathologies in which neuronal degeneration has induced a specific loss of function. Current implant technologies using microelectrodes for delivering electrical signals meet several problems that limit the performance and safety of the implants. LIGHT4BRAIN innovation consists in using biocompatible organic nanoparticles for lightdriven neuronal activation via seamless interfaces that can mimic the physiological activation of neural circuits. This is a step forward with respect to existing nanoparticle-based technologies that perform hyperthermia or drug release or to optogenetics that implies gene therapy. Demonstrations of LIGHT4BRAIN phototransducers will address physiopathological states involving the visual and prefrontal cortices. Nanoparticles can be functionalized with single chain antibodies to target specific neuronal populations or orthogonally bound to targeting carriers and administered in the liquid phase by stereotaxic injection in the region of interest. Photoactive nanoparticles are not endocytosed, preserve their location and activity in the biological environment for long times and stimulate the targeted neurons by a capacitive depolarizing effect that brings neurons to fire action potentials. LIGHT4BRAIN will represent a new method for interfacing optical stimuli with the nervous system in order to address nervous system pathologies in which neuronal degeneration, inflammation or abnormal circuit activity has induced a specific loss of function (e.g., vision, psychiatric diseases).

LogoEnteFinanziatore_PNRR
People involved
Fabio Benfenati
Fabio Benfenati
Neuroscience and Smart Materials
Guglielmo Lanzani
Guglielmo Lanzani
Nanomaterials for Energy and Lifescience
Francesco Papaleo
Francesco Papaleo
Genetics of Cognition
Project information
Logo Mnesys
Acronym
LIGHT4BRAIN
Start date
01/07/2024
End date
30/06/2025
Role
Coordinator
Funds
National
Budget
Total budget: 400.000,00€
Total contribution: 400.000,00€