Center for Neural Communication Technology

需要越来越先进的微电极系统来支持神经科学正在进行的快速进步。 实验驱动的对更好的电极技术的拉动来自许多方向，涉及不同的和 具有挑战性的要求，包括更多的记录地点，可植入系统，用于长期 监测和药物输送能力。该项目的总体目标是通过中心满足这一需求 神经通讯技术(CNCT)。该中心的章程有两个：开发传感器和集成 用于高级神经接口的微系统，然后将这些技术转化为功能探针系统 可以有效地分发到一般神经科学界。 该中心的核心资源是硅探头技术，该技术具有与成熟的 微细加工工艺。拟议的项目直接建立在这个基础上。第一个目标是进行四个 相互关联的核心研究项目，共同在各个方向上拓展硅探头的应用空间 慢性系统和综合药物输送功能。具体目标包括集成微细加工 流动控制组件进入具有非常小的流体通道的基本探头，为组织形成探头涂层 整合和控制胶质细胞增多症，开发神经化学微量采样探针系统，调查液体 靶向脑区受控微量注射的动力学，以及开发阵列处理技术 多通道神经记录。第二个目标涉及一个相当大的服务组件，以与一组 外部合作者设计和制造专门的探测系统，用于其现有的研究。这里, 主要重点将放在慢性和射流探头系统上。协作者将根据他们的 对硅探测技术的兴趣和经验，愿意积极参与探测 发展，以及它们影响各自领域的能力。核心所产生的设备和技术 研究活动将可供中心的外部合作者根据其特定应用程序使用 要求。这一服务组件将增加硅探针技术对神经科学的影响 社区通过在设计和开发活动中提供强大的以应用程序为中心的拉动。第三 目标包括开发一个培训部分，以培训新的调查人员如何有效地使用该中心的 探测系统。这一培训部分将包括每年一次的暑期短期课程，以及一种机制，以便 新用户可以访问经验丰富的用户的实验室。 通过在战略新方向上建立坚实的基础，CNCT处于有利地位 继续为先进的神经探头提供国家资源，以迎接无情的挑战 神经科学研究的需求。

Increasingly advanced microelectrode systems are required to support the ongoing rapid progress in neuroscience. The experiment-driven pull for better electrode technologies comes from many directions and involves diverse and challenging requirements, including increased numbers of recording sites, implantable systems for long-term monitoring, and drug delivery capabilities. The overall goal of this project is to meet this need through the Center for Neural Communication Technology (CNCT). The Center's charter is two-fold: develop sensors and integrated microsystems for advanced neural interfaces and then translate these technologies into functional probe systems that can be effectively distributed to the general to the neuroscience community. The Center's core resource is a silicon probe technology that has a large design space matched to a mature microfabrication process. The proposed project builds directly on this foundation. The first objective is to conduct four inter-related core research projects that collectively extend the application space of the silicon probes in the directions of chronic systems and integrated drug delivery functionalities. The specific aims include integrating microfabricated flow control components into base probes that have very small fluid channels, developing probe coatings for tissue integration and control of gliosis, developing probe systems for neurochemical microsampling, investigating the fluid dynamics of controlled microinjections into targeted brain areas, and developing array processing techniques for multichannel neural recordings. The second objective involves a sizable service component to work with a group of external collaborators to design and fabricate specialized probe systems for use in their existing investigations. Here, the primary emphasis will be on chronic and fluidic probe systems. The collaborators will be selected based on their interest and experience with the silicon probe technologies, their willingness to actively participate in probe development, and their ability to impact their respective areas. The devices and technologies that result from the core research activities will be available for use by the Center's external collaborators per their particular application requirements. This service component stands to increase the impact of the silicon probe technology on the neuroscience community by providing a strong applications-centered pull on the design and development activities. The third objective involves developing a training component to train new investigators on how to effectively use the Center's probe systems. This training component will include an annual short summer course, as well as a mechanism to allow new users to visit the labs of experienced users. By building on its solid foundation as it goes in strategic new directions, the CNCT is in a strong position to continue to provide a national resource for advanced neuroprobes to meet the relentlessly challenging demands of neuroscience research.