NSF-BSF: Designing semiconductor-based membranes for photoelectrochemical modulation of cardiac systems

寻找生物材料来替代心脏起搏器中的导线仍然是社会面临的挑战。许多生物材料方法已经被开发出来，用于在没有导线的情况下对心脏组织起搏；导线是连接到组织的导线。现有的替代策略在临床环境中并不成功。在NSF和美国-以色列双国科学基金会(BSF)的这个合作项目中，田博士和Dvir博士提议开发一种新型的硅(Si)和碳化硅(SIC)纳米结构膜，用于对心脏组织进行光控刺激。这种基于半导体的膜具有柔韧性和生物兼容性，能够绕过目前传统心脏起搏工具面临的许多限制。该团队将使用硅和碳化硅薄膜的脉冲光照明来触发生理条件下心脏细胞的兴奋。这项研究将提供新的数据，这些数据对于理解和开发基于生物材料的工具以满足未来心脏治疗的需求至关重要。教育目标包括在一个高度跨学科的领域为学生提供学习机会。田博士将在芝加哥大学现有模式项目的基础上，通过为高中生和本科生提供暑期研究机会，增加科学和工程领域的多样性。其他教育活动包括国际学生交流计划，为美国学生提供对以色列科学和工程研究的难忘认识和终身欣赏。研究和教育成果将通过同行评议的出版物、研讨会、会议报告和网站广泛传播。技术概述许多用于无铅心脏起搏功能的生物材料方法，包括基于红外光热效应、电磁感应和超声介导的能量转移的方法，都未能在临床上应用。因此，对于了解心律失常和传导障碍的治疗，新的生物材料工具和生物界面仍然是非常必要的。田博士和Dvir博士建议开发一种新型的硅(Si)和碳化硅(SiC)纳米结构膜，用于对心脏组织进行光学控制的非遗传调制。这种以半导体为基础的膜具有柔韧性和生物兼容性，能够绕过传统调制设备面临的许多当前限制。当被脉冲光激活时，硅和碳化硅纳米结构可以在生理条件下触发心肌细胞的膜去极化，导致连接的心肌细胞激发动作电位。这项研究将提供新的数据，这些数据对于从根本上理解和开发基于生物材料的工具，以实现未来的无铅心脏再同步治疗至关重要。研究活动将为学生在一个高度跨学科的领域提供学习机会。这项拟议的研究还将提供独特的知识和技能，可以在半导体或探测器行业开启新的努力。田博士将在芝加哥大学现有模式项目的基础上，通过为高中生和本科生提供暑期研究机会，增加科学和工程领域的多样性。通过国际暑期交流项目，该团队将为美国学生提供经验，以建立对以色列科学和工程研究的难忘意识和终身欣赏。研究和教育成果将通过同行评议的出版物、研讨会、会议报告和网站广泛传播。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-technical SummaryFinding biomaterials to replace the wires in heart pacemakers remains a challenge for society. Many biomaterial approaches have been developed for pacing heart tissue without leads; the wires that connect to the tissue. Existing alternative strategies have not been successful in clinical settings. In this collaborative project between NSF and the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), Drs. Tian and Dvir propose to develop a new class of silicon (Si) and silicon carbide (SiC)-based nanostructured membranes for optically controlled stimulation of cardiac tissues. The semiconductor-based membranes are flexible and biocompatible, and are capable of bypassing many of the current limitations faced by traditional cardiac pacing tools. The team will use the pulsed light illumination of the Si and SiC membranes to trigger the excitation of heart cells under physiological conditions. This research will provide new data that are critical for understanding and developing biomaterials-based tools to meet the needs of future cardiac therapy. The educational goals include providing learning opportunities for students in a highly interdisciplinary area. Dr. Tian will build on existing model programs at the University of Chicago to increase diversity in science and engineering by offering summer research opportunities to high-school and undergraduate students. Other educational activities include an international student exchange program to provide US students with unforgettable awareness and lifelong appreciation of the science and engineering research in Israel. The research and education results will be disseminated broadly through peer-reviewed publications, seminars, conference presentations, and websites.Technical SummaryMany biomaterial approaches for leadless cardiac pacing capabilities, including those based on infrared photothermal effect, electromagnetic induction, and ultrasound-mediated energy transfer, have failed to translate clinically. Therefore, new biomaterial tools and biointerfaces are still highly desired for understanding the treatment of arrhythmias and conduction disorders. Drs. Tian and Dvir propose to develop a new class of silicon (Si) and silicon carbide (SiC)-based nanostructured membranes for optically controlled, non-genetic modulation of cardiac tissues. The semiconductor-based membranes are flexible and biocompatible, and are capable of bypassing many of the current limitations faced by traditional modulatory devices. When activated by pulsed light illumination, the Si and SiC nanostructures can trigger membrane depolarization of cardiomyocytes under physiological conditions, causing the interfaced cardiomyocytes to fire action potentials. This research will provide new data that are critical for the fundamental understanding and development of biomaterials-based tools to enable future leadless cardiac resynchronization therapy. The research activities will provide learning opportunities for students in a highly interdisciplinary area. The proposed study will also provide a unique knowledge and skill set that can open new endeavors in the semiconductor or detector industry. Dr. Tian will build on existing model programs at the University of Chicago to increase diversity in science and engineering by offering summer research opportunities to high-school and undergraduate students. Through an international summer exchange program, the team will provide the US students the experience to establish unforgettable awareness and lifelong appreciation of the science and engineering research in Israel. The research and education results will be disseminated broadly through peer-reviewed publications, seminars, conference presentations, and websites.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.