Real-Time Neural Chemical Sensing in the Peripheral Nervous System

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.

Neurodegenerative diseases have been highlighted as a significant research gap in EPSRC funding. The importance of effective treatment and health wellbeing relies on better characterization of diseases, enabling technological platforms for addressing global health challenges and cheap and robust sensors for accurate real-time measurements for critical to know parameters. The UK has a strong neuroscience and engineering base with a significant academic record. However, the merging of the two fields in the UK is still at its first steps. In the US, neurotechnology and biomedical engineering is a multi-billion pound industry with one of the largest academic bases in the world. The type of work proposed here helps in placing the UK on an equal footing with these leaders. Given the already expressed interest from collaborating partners there is potential to expand the impact internationally. The expected outcomes will benefit considerably through close collaborations and commercial opportunities. The team involved in our cross-disciplinary environment complements the key aspects of the project, and strengthens inter-group collaborations.
Commercially, neural interface technology is a multibillion pound market, currently dominated by the
US. Interface technology is used for three areas: early detection, diagnosis and therapy. Therapy is the most widely
commercialised with many neural stimulation for the brain (deep brain stimulators for Parkinson's and Epilepsy) and the peripheral nerves (Cyberonics VNS, Victhom Neurostep). Interfaces for recording have mainly had success for brain recording of electrical activity. However, at present, what we propose here is not available -recording of the chemical activity associated with neural activity. A device of this type has clear commercial aspirations and would place the UK and ICL at the forefront of state of the art neural interfaces. Intellectual property and potential for developing a spin-out by leveraging on our groups experience in translating research technology to a commercial space, only strengthens the commercial aspirations of this technology.
In addition, there are many conditions, including Epilepsy and Neuropathies whose influence can be directly assessed
based on the electrical behaviour of our nervous system. Given that the chemical changes are the driver of this electrical behaviour there is scope to explore chemical changes associated with such disorders. Hence, in the neuroscience domain there is great potential for utilising this technology in several research areas. In addition, chemical recording will not be plagued with the electrical interference notorious for making neural electrical recording difficult to implement for implantation. Again leveraging on our groups expertise on chemical sensors we will employ several techniques for obtaining very accurate chemical recordings and increase longevity. We aim to utilise this technology to expand our research portfolio and establish collaborations with neuroscience clinics around the UK and Europe, thus realising significant clinical and academic impact.
All of this will have significant impact on the UK establishing itself as a contender in the competitive neurotechnology
domain. Bringing in new potential collaborations, commercial outcomes and through effective dissemination of this work we will strengthen the UK's academic and commercial position. Already we have interest from GlaxoSmithKline, who are keen to exploit this technology in the commercial space and King's College London who similarly are interested in pursuing clinical outcomes of this type of technology. Hence both institutions will act as project partners to guide the research towards these high impact outcomes.