Engineering specific neuronal cell circuits
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
This projects is one of five projects funded as a collective as part of an adventure mini-CDT within the area of 'brain-on-a-chip'. The five projects each have specific focus, with this project making use of micro-fabrication technologies to construct living neuronal cell circuits at the small population (5-10 cells) and single cell level.
There is an urgent need for research into neurodegenerative diseases, however our lack of understanding of complex brain circuitry restricts modelling and evaluation for future healthcare strategies. Technological breakthroughs now allow us to engineer living nerve cell-circuits. We will engineer precisely defined circuits allowing experimental and computational models to be compared and validated these for the first time.
An outstanding problem in neuroscience is the ability to non-invasively suppress or manipulate unwanted brain activity or 'rhythms,' which occur due to spontaneous synchronization of large nerve networks. This behaviour can lead to epilepsy, Parkinsonian symptoms, or tremors. Several approaches have been developed recently within the theory of dynamical systems, which show promising results with numerical models of neural circuits, but have not yet been experimentally validated.
Within this project we will establish specifically designed neuronal circuits atop electrodes. This will allow elements of the circuit, and in some cases also including multiple sections across a single cell, to be interrogated in terms of cell function and function of the cell circuit. This work will be extremely important for future computational assessment of pharmaceutical and cell therapy treatments, large network modelling, and will also inform future developments of advanced biological computing.
There is an urgent need for research into neurodegenerative diseases, however our lack of understanding of complex brain circuitry restricts modelling and evaluation for future healthcare strategies. Technological breakthroughs now allow us to engineer living nerve cell-circuits. We will engineer precisely defined circuits allowing experimental and computational models to be compared and validated these for the first time.
An outstanding problem in neuroscience is the ability to non-invasively suppress or manipulate unwanted brain activity or 'rhythms,' which occur due to spontaneous synchronization of large nerve networks. This behaviour can lead to epilepsy, Parkinsonian symptoms, or tremors. Several approaches have been developed recently within the theory of dynamical systems, which show promising results with numerical models of neural circuits, but have not yet been experimentally validated.
Within this project we will establish specifically designed neuronal circuits atop electrodes. This will allow elements of the circuit, and in some cases also including multiple sections across a single cell, to be interrogated in terms of cell function and function of the cell circuit. This work will be extremely important for future computational assessment of pharmaceutical and cell therapy treatments, large network modelling, and will also inform future developments of advanced biological computing.
People |
ORCID iD |
Paul Roach (Primary Supervisor) | |
James Kinsella (Student) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/N509516/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2021 | |||
1965784 | Studentship | EP/N509516/1 | 30/09/2017 | 30/08/2021 | James Kinsella |
Description | Brain on a chip workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a regional workshop run at Loughborough University for academics interested in sharing ideas and capabilities within the area of brain on a chip models. This was a multi- and interdisciplinary workshop activity with talks from disciplines including maths, physics, engineering, stem cell biology, chemistry and materials science. The activity stimulated conversation among existing and new collaborators among 6 regional universities and has led to multiple grant submissions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.lboro.ac.uk/science/events/brain-on-a-chip-workshop-22mar19.html |
Description | Cross Cadre/ UKSB joint conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presented digitally as part of the cross cadre/ UKSB joint conference, to communicate my current research to an audience of peers and professionals in different scientific fields. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | EPSRC and MRC Centres for Doctoral Training in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Joint Conference 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A joint conference bringing together the biomaterials and regenerative medicine researches across the UK |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | School visit (JCB academy Loughborough) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 13 GCSE along with 2 teachers of science visited the university to have practical sessions within chemistry, physics and biology. Engagement was initiated with a talk and open discussion in the morning and followed up at lunch time. These students as 'gifted and talented' with many wanting to find out more about a career in STEM. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | School visit (JCB academy Rocester) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | School engagement activity providing insight into GCSE and A-level students about engineering of biology. A talk to about 60 students was followed by individual lab sessions and mentoring of 'design a futuristic medical device'. This event sparked questions about careers in STEM and how to progress via university, for e.g. science and maths based degrees. We have since had a follow on event with the school visiting Loughborough University. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |