Imaging retinal functional activity with fast neural electrical impedance tomography

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In a number of degenerative retinal diseases, loss of photoreceptor cells leads to irreversible vision loss; implantable retinal prostheses take advantage of the layers of retinal neurons left intact by inducing visual effects through electrical stimulation. The aim of this proposal is to deliver a technique for imaging the functional neural activity of the retina with high spatiotemporal resolution, compact hardware and low cost that would greatly accelerate progress of retinal electrophysiology and optimization of retinal prosthetics pre/post implantation. This novel tool will build on Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), a non-invasive technique which allows 3D reconstruction of electrical tissue properties from a set of impedance measurements taken at boundary electrodes. The recently developed Fast Neural EIT(FN-EIT) allows imaging of neuronal traffic thanks to the small variation in tissue impedance caused by opening of neural ion channels during activity. Within IMAGINATE, I will build over my experience in FN-EIT for brain and nerve and work with world-class experts in retinal physiology and vision prosthetics to establish this technique as a novel retinalimaging tool. I plan to achieved IMAGINATE's objectives by optimizing existing FN-EIT technology for the specific features of retinal tissue and collecting ex-vivo datasets to assess imaging performance in response to optical and electrical stimulation, before concluding the action with an in-vivo feasibility study on small animals. Funding of this action will be a fundamental opportunity of career development that will support my training in a highly innovative, interdisciplinary field while fostering professional independence and leading to impactful publications. Furthermore, the goals of IMAGINATE align with EU's Horizon Europe programme, specifically the key cluster dedicated to health research (Cluster 1-Health), and the specific Area of Intervention dedicated to developing technologies for health.