INSPIRE Track 1: Imaging Neuronal Network Activity using Voltage-Gated Optical Transitions in Graphene

INSPIRE奖部分由数学与物理科学理事会材料研究部的电子与光子材料项目和生物材料项目资助；生物科学理事会综合有机体系统部神经系统项目；生物科学理事会生物基础设施司生物研究仪器开发方案；以及工程理事会化学、生物工程、环境和运输系统部门的纳米生物传感项目。技术描述：本研究项目旨在开发一种新技术，利用石墨烯中的电压门控光学跃迁来检测神经网络的电活动。神经元以电信号（如动作电位）的形式接收、分析和传递信息。神经数据的解码需要准确记录这些电信号。该项目利用石墨烯独特的电学和光学特性，以高度并行和非侵入性的方式检测神经网络的电活动。它在几个重要方面推进了科学理解，包括(1)对石墨烯作为高灵敏度生物成像的独特电子和光学材料的基本理解，(2)石墨烯与神经元细胞的界面，(3)动作电位的非侵入性光学检测，以及(4)神经元网络中神经元活动的高度并行成像。该项目建立在王教授和崔教授在石墨烯光谱学和神经电生理学方面的互补专业知识的基础上。非技术描述：该项目抓住了石墨烯为神经网络活动的光学成像提供的巨大机会，这有可能成为神经科学的重要工具。这项研究需要崔和王实验室之间广泛的合作和学生交流，这为研究生和本科生提供了一个独特的机会，让他们接触到不同学科的科学，包括生物学、工程学、材料科学、光学和物理学。

This INSPIRE award is partially funded by the Electronic and Photonic Materials Program and the Biomaterials Program in the Division of Materials Research in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences; the Neural Systems Program in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems in the Directorate for Biological Sciences; the Instrument Development for Biological Research Program in the Division of Biological Infrastructure in the Directorate for Biological Sciences; and the Nano-Biosensing Program in the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems in the Directorate for Engineering.Technical Description: This research project aims to develop a novel technique to detect electric activities of a neuronal network using voltage-gated optical transitions in graphene. A neuron receives, analyzes and conveys information in the form of electrical signals such as action potentials. The decoding of neural data requires accurate recording of those electrical signals. This project exploits unique electrical and optical properties of graphene to detect electric activities of a neuronal network in a highly parallel and non-invasive manner. It advances scientific understanding in several important fronts, including (1) fundamental understanding of graphene as a unique electronic and optical material for high-sensitivity bio-imaging, (2) interfacing graphene with neuron cells, (3) non-invasive optical detection of action potential, and (4) highly parallel imaging of neuron activity in a neuronal network. This project builds on the complimentary expertise of Professor Wang and Professor Cui on graphene optical spectroscopy and neural electrophysiology, respectively.Non-technical Description: This project captures the tremendous opportunities provided by graphene for optical imaging of neural network activities, which has a potential to become an important tool in neuroscience. The research requires extensive collaboration and exchange of students between Cui and Wang labs, which provides a unique opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students to be exposed to sciences in different disciplines including biology, engineering, materials science, optics, and physics.