Introduction
The ICN2 and its companions have developed revolutionary graphene neuroscience that reveals specific neural control and high-precision neurological interactions, possibly leading to important improvements in neuroscience and medical fields.
An inventive graphene-based neurotechnology with the potential to revolutionise neuroscience and medical applications is presented in a paper published in Nature Nanotechnology. Currently being developed for therapeutic applications through the spin-off INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, this research is led by the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) in collaboration with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and other national and international colleagues.
Essential Elements of Graphene Technology
After years of investigation under the European Graphene Flagship project, ICN2 led the research and development of EGNITE (Engineered Graphene for Neural Interfaces), an innovative category of flexible, high-precision, high-resolution implantable neurotechnology, in partnership with the University of Manchester. The findings, which were just published in Nature Neurotechnology, seek to advance the fields of brain-computer interfaces and neuroelectronics by introducing novel technologies.
EGNITE expands upon the extensive background of its creators in the production and application of carbon nanostructures in medicine. With the use of innovative technologies that utilise nano-porous graphene, graphene microelectrodes with a diameter of just 25 µm may be assembled using manufacturing processes commonly used in the semiconductor sector. Low impedance and high charge injection are two characteristics of graphene microelectrodes that are critical for adaptable and effective brain interfaces.
Functionality Validation in Preclinical Settings
Preclinical research using various kinds of models for the peripheral and central nervous systems, executed by a number of neuroscience and biomedical experts working together with ICN2, showed that EGNITE is capable of recording high-fidelity neural signals with remarkable clarity and precision, as well as, more crucially, enabling highly targeted nerve modulation. The unique combination of accurate nerve stimulation and high-fidelity signal recording provided by EGNITE technology is a highly significant development in the field of neuroelectronic therapies.
This innovative approach fills an important vacuum in neurotechnology, where very little progress in materials science has been made in the past 20 years. Graphene might become a leading neuro-technological material with the development of EGNITE electrodes.
Global Cooperation and Scientific Guidance
The technology being demonstrated today is a consequence of the work done a decade ago by the Graphene Flagship, a European effort aimed at establishing European leadership in the field of technologies based on graphene and other two-dimensional materials. The ICN2 researchers Damià Viana (now at INBRAIN Neuroelectronics), Steven T. Walston (now at the University of Southern California), and Eduard Masvidal-Codina collaborated to achieve this scientific achievement.
Under ICREA’s direction, the leaders of the ICN2 Nanomedicine Lab and the University of Manchester’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine, & Health are ICREA Kostas Kostarelos and Jose A. Garrido, respectively. Garrido leads the Advanced Electronic Materials and Devices Group. Xavier Navarro, Natà lia de la Oliva, Bruno RodrÃguez-Meana, and Jaume del Valle from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology, and Immunology have all contributed to the research.
Prominent national and international organisations, including the University of Barcelona, the Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences (Université Grenoble Alpes) (France), the National Graphene Institute in Manchester (UK), and the Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM) (CSIC), have contributed to the collaboration. Under the direction of CIBER researcher Dr. Xavi Illa, the technological integration into conventional semiconductor manufacturing procedures has been carried out at the IMB-CNM (CSIC) Micro and Nanofabrication cleanroom.
Clinical Translation: Subsequent Actions
The EGNITE technology detailed in the Nature Nanotechnology paper has been patented and licenced to INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, a Barcelona-based extension of ICN2 and ICREA. IMB-CNM (CSIC) has provided support for this licence. The business is in charge of converting the technology into medical products and applications and is also a partner in the Graphene Flagship initiative. INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, led by CEO Carolina Aguilar, is preparing to conduct first-in-human clinical studies of this cutting-edge graphene technology.
The semiconductor engineering industrial and innovation landscape in Catalonia presents an unparalleled opportunity to expedite the translation of today’s results into clinical applications. Ambitious national strategies call for the construction of state-of-the-art facilities to produce semiconductor technologies based on emerging materials.
Conclusion
A novel graphene-based neurotechnology with the potential to revolutionise the semiconductor production industry is described in a Nature Nanotechnology article. It can be scaled up using current semiconductor fabrication methods. With the goal of turning the mentioned technique into a really effective and cutting-edge therapeutic neurotechnology, ICN2 and its partners are working to develop and enhance the technology.
FAQ's
Q: What is EGNITE?
A: ICN2 and its collaborators have created a novel neurotechnology called EGNITE, which uses graphene interfaces to provide high-precision brain control and neurological connections. It has possible therapeutic uses in the realms of medicine and neurology.
Q: How does EGNITE work?
A: EGNITE is a neural signal recording system capable of accurate nerve modulation through the utilisation of nanoporous graphene and graphene microelectrodes. These interfaces possess powerful charge injection and low resistance, which are necessary for successful brain connection.
Q: What are the potential benefits of EGNITE?
A: EGNITE offers remarkable clarity and accuracy in brain signal recording and nerve deception, ultimately revolutionising the field of neurotechnology. It might lead to breakthroughs in neuroelectronic treatments and brain-computer interfaces.
Q: Who is involved in the development of EGNITE?
A: EGNITE is developed by the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) in collaboration with partners such as the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the University of Manchester, and other national and international colleagues.
Q: What are the next steps for EGNITE?
A: INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, which intends to incorporate the technology into medical goods, has been granted a licence and patent for EGNITE. The preparation of clinical trials aims to apply this state-of-the-art graphene technology to practical medicinal uses.
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