1. Micro & NanoTechnologies
for Neuroscience
Carmen Bartic, PhD – IMEC
16-12-2008

2. Can micro and nanotechnologies
contribute to progress
in Neuroscience?
HOW?

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5. NanoIONICS
NanoELECTRONICS
MOS transistor
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6. APPLICATIONS
BASIC NEUROSCIENCE CLINICAL
NEUROSCIENCE
• Study of cellular
communication/signaling • Neuronal regeneration
Test platforms for
drugs/molecules • Neuroprotection
• High resolution imaging • Neuromodulation
Molecular dynamics
and tracking • High resolution imaging

7. Some examples: in vitro

8. Some examples: in vivo
Rat cortical recordings

9. NERF Mission
• Identify potential applications of nanotechnologies in
neuroscience in order to maximize their impact
• Implement these technologies and generate progress in
fundamental brain understanding
KULeuven/UZ-driven neuro-surgery & medical imaging
KULeuven/UZ
APPROACH: VIB
Neuro-surgery
Medical Imaging
Clinical setting
IMEC-driven neuro-electronics
VIB-driven neuro-biology
CONVERGENCE
& Brain Neuro-
NERF
Computer biology
INTERDISCIPLINARITY Interface
IMEC
XXXX
UGent/UZ
UGent-driven JJJ

10. Key technologies
• Micro & Nano multifunctional probes
» Specific targeting
» Recording and stimulation at molecular level
» Imaging
• Large matrices of sensors & actuators
» High throughput, network data
» Function integration
• Closed loop systems
» Feedback recording-neuromodulation
(therapy)
» Autonomous systems (wireless, telemetry)
» Algorithms
» Artifact removal strategies

11. In a nutshell
• Challenges are huge, but the impact could be
tremendous
• Interdisciplinarity is key for progress: define
applications and focus
• In depth implication of specialists in
neurobiology, neurology, engineering, material
sciences towards technology development

12. Thank you!
Questions?