Real-Time Neural Chemical Sensing in the Peripheral Nervous System

神经系统是一个巨大的沟通渠道网络。在大脑中，大约有1000亿个神经元，每个神经元与多达10,000个其他神经元相连，执行着人造设备无法比拟的操作速度。仅外周神经系统(PNS)就可以实现高达270英里/小时的通信速度。每一次行动，无论是有意识的还是无意识的，都是由这个网络驱动的，从而实现了所有的生物功能。随后，影响周围神经系统功能的神经障碍会对生活的许多方面产生重大影响，在某些情况下会降低生活质量，在另一些情况下会降低寿命本身。能够与神经系统连接使我们能够诊断、检测和治疗神经疾病。在过去的几十年里，科学家们在创造高效的神经接口方面采取了很大的步骤，因此现在有很多新的疾病是可以治疗的，包括癫痫(手术诊断记录)和帕金森氏症(大脑深部刺激器)。然而，我们仍然远远没有开发出对这些接口的科幻类型的解释，仍然需要大量的信息，还有许多其他的障碍需要解决。在过去的几年里，我们的团队已经开发出了强大的跨学科记录，使得使用各种类型的传感器将工程系统与生物学对接，促进了许多生物医学应用。通过赠款和衍生公司，我们在生物医学领域建立了具有研究和商业价值的技术。该项目将这些专业知识结合在一起，开发下一代神经传感技术，用于开发未来的接口。该项目引入了一种新的方法，测量神经活动的化学反应以及它产生的传统电信号。这将使我们能够随着时间的推移更多地了解神经行为，并最终诊断与疾病相关的变化。为了实现这一目标，该项目包括三个关键部分：(1)传感器开发，包括用于记录电活动的电极和离子敏感传感器的设计，(2)用于提取化学和电记录的电子设备，以及(3)广泛的测试和测量，以表征平台的性能。为了实现这一平台，我们概述了每个阶段的工作包，经验丰富的研究人员领导这些工作包。鉴于该项目的规模，管理团队对于指导和指导该项目实现其里程碑和交付成果至关重要。此外，我们还聘请了三个合作伙伴(IBMT Fraunhoffer、伦敦国王学院和葛兰素史克)，为该项目提供建议和指导，使其达到现实的临床和商业结果。该项目的成果将是一个超越当前技术水平的与神经活动相互作用的平台，为化学活动发挥关键作用的多项研究和研究机会铺平道路。

The nervous system is a large network of communication channels. In the brain approximately one hundred billion neurons, each connected to up to 10,000 other neurons perform operation speeds unmatched by man-made devices. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) alone can achieve speeds of communication of up to 270mph. Every action, conscious or not is driven by this network, enabling all biological functions. Subsequently, neural disorders that affect the function of the peripheral nervous system have a significant impact on many aspects of life, in some cases reducing quality of life and in others, life span itself.Being able to interface with the nervous system allows us to diagnose, detect and treat neural disorders. Over the last several decades scientists have taken great steps in creating efficient neural interfaces, and as such a wealth of new disorders are treatable nowadays, including Epilepsy (surgery diagnostics recordings) and Parkinson's (deep brain stimulators). Nevertheless, we are still far from developing the science fiction type interpretations of these interfaces, there is still a wealth of information needed and there are many other disorders that need tackling.Over the last several years our group has developed a strong cross-disciplinary track record that enabled the interfacing of engineering systems to biology using various types of sensors, facilitating a number of biomedical applications. Through grants and spin-out companies we've established technology in the biomedical space that have research and commercial value. This project brings this expertise together to develop the next generation of neural sensing technology , for developing future interfaces.The project introduces a novel way of measuring the chemical response of nerve activity coupled with the traditional electrical signals it produces. This will allow us to know more about the neural behaviour over time and eventually to diagnose changes related to disorders. To achieve this, this project consists of three key parts: (1) The sensor development, which includes the design of the electrodes for recording the electrical activity and ion sensitive sensors, (2) The electronics to extract the chemical and electrical recordings and (3) Extensive tests and measurements to characterise the capabilities of the platform.To realise this platform we have outlined work packages relating to each stage, with experienced researchers leading these. Given the scale of this project a management team is essential for guiding and steering the project towards its milestones and deliverables. In addition we have brought on board three partners (IBMT Fraunhoffer, King's College London and GlaxoSmithKline) to advise and guide the project towards realistic clinical and commercial outcomes. The outcome of the project will be a platform interfacing with the neural activity beyond the current state of the art, paving the way for multiple studies and research opportunities where chemical activity plays a vital role.