PFI: Multifunctional Microelectrode Arrays for Neuroscience Research and Technology Development

这项来自德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校的创新伙伴关系(PFI)项目旨在开发一种多功能微电极阵列平台技术，该技术有可能彻底改变神经科学研究的进行方式。微电极阵列(MEA)为神经系统如何接收、处理和传输信息提供了重要的洞察力。有了使用MEA从神经系统内的细胞进行刺激和记录的能力，神经科学家已经能够探测神经电路并检查健康和疾病的潜在时空动力学。这一伙伴关系的总体目标是开发和生产用于神经科学的微电极阵列平台技术，该技术反过来又能够连续生产日益复杂的高性能设备。VISION是一项多功能MEA平台技术，包括：1)多通道光刺激，使用嵌入式有机发光二极管进行选择性神经刺激；2)形状记忆聚合物，提供更强大、更长寿命的与神经系统的接口；3)基于薄膜晶体管和压电聚合物的嵌入式微系统，用于板载信号处理和体内电极的微观定位；4)低成本，一次性制造材料和方法，用于体外神经药理学检测。项目组建议利用柔性显示技术和材料科学的进步来开发这一新型多功能MEA平台技术，并在体外和体内神经科学研究中展示这一技术平台。这项研究的更广泛影响将包括将在各种实施例中产生的用于临床研究和治疗的技术。由于拟议的MEA平台基于为柔性显示器行业开发的材料和工艺，因此已经展示了一条通向大规模制造的明确路径。除了将开发的技术将开辟神经科学研究的全新领域外，参与该项目的研究生和本科生将接触到从半导体加工到神经科学的广泛科学和技术。他们还将学到大量关于系统工程的知识，因为虽然项目的大部分是关于微电极阵列的开发，但阵列必须与记录和刺激电子设备和软件兼容。更重要的是，学生们有机会与久经考验的企业家合作，比如Plexon的创始人哈维·威金斯。Wiggins先生将Plexon从一个人的运营转变为世界领先的神经科学记录硬件和软件制造商。学生将参与整个创新过程，包括产品定义、产品设计、工艺开发、产品制造和测试，最后是营销。德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校的高中彗星项目也将让当地的高中生参与到该项目中来。该项目的最终目标是创建一个技术平台，为参与该项目的学生创造高薪工作机会，同时通过为神经科学家提供一套新的工具来解决最紧迫的医疗问题，从而造福社会。项目开始时的合作伙伴都是知识增强伙伴关系(KEP)部门的一部分，该部门由德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校(材料科学与工程、机械工程和神经科学)和两家小企业组成：Plexon，Inc.(达拉斯，德克萨斯州)，世界领先的神经记录设备和软件制造商，将为团队提供电气工程和计算机科学方面的专业知识；以及Syzygy Memory Plattics(亚特兰大，佐治亚州)，将为体内和体外多电极阵列开发适当的聚合物衬底材料所需的专业知识。

This Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) project from the University of Texas-Dallas seeks to develop a multifunctional microelectrode array platform technology that has the potential to revolutionize how neuroscience research is conducted. Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have provided significant insight into how the nervous system receives, processes, and transmits information. With the ability to stimulate and record from cells within the nervous system using MEAs, neuroscientists have been able to probe neural circuitry and examine the underlying spatiotemporal dynamics in health and disease. The overall goal of this partnership is to develop and productize a microelectrode array platform technology for neuroscience that is in turn capable of successively producing increasingly complex high performance devices. The vision is a multifunctional MEA platform technology that incorporates: 1) multichannel optical stimulation, using embedded organic light emitting diodes for selective neurostimulation; 2) shape memory polymers to provide a more robust, long-lived interface with the nervous system; 3) embedded microsystems based on thin-film transistors and piezoelectric polymers for on-board signal processing and micro-positioning of electrodes in vivo; and 4) low-cost, disposable fabrication materials and methods for in vitro neuropharmacological assay use. The project team proposes to develop this novel multifunctional MEA platform technology by leveraging advances in flexible display technology and materials science, demonstrating this technology platform in both in vitro and in vivo neuroscience studies. The broader impacts of this research will include the resulting technologies that will be productized in various embodiments for use in clinical research and treatment. Because the proposed MEA platform is based on materials and processes that have been developed for the flexible display industry, a clear path to large volume manufacturing has already been demonstrated. In addition to the technology to be developed, which will open up whole new areas of research in neuroscience, the graduate and undergraduate students involved in this project will be exposed to a wide array of science and technology, ranging from semiconductor processing to neuroscience. They will also learn a tremendous amount about systems engineering, because, while the bulk of the project is about microelectrode array development, the arrays have to be compatible with the recording and stimulating electronics and software. Even more important, the students have the opportunity to work with proven entrepreneurs, such as Harvey Wiggins, the founder of Plexon. Mr. Wiggins has taken Plexon from a one person operation to the leading manufacturer of neuroscience recording hardware and software in the world. The students will be involved in the entire innovation process, including product definition, product design, process development, product fabrication and testing and finally marketing. UT Dallas' High School Comets program will also get local high school students involved in the project. The ultimate goal of the program is to create a technology platform that will create high paying jobs for students like those involved in this project, and, at the same time, benefit society by providing a new set of tools for neuroscientists to solve the most pressing medical problems. Partners at the inception of the project are all part of the Knowledge Enhancement Partnership (KEP) unit, consisting consisting of the University of Texas-Dallas (Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Neuroscience) and two small businesses: Plexon, Inc. (Dallas, TX), the leading manufacturer of neural recording equipment and software in the world, which will provide the team with expertise in electrical engineering and computer science; and Syzygy Memory Plastics (Atlanta, GA) which will provide expertise needed to develop the appropriate polymer substrate materials for both in vivo and in vitro multielectrode arrays.