Seminar on High-resolution syringe-injectable brain-computer interfaces by Emre Mülazimoğlu, PhD

Boğaziçi-BME Tuesday Seminars
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01 Oct 2024 (Tuesday); 13.00 - 14.00
Boğaziçi University Kandilli Campus, BME Building AZ19 (in person)

High-resolution syringe-injectable brain-computer interfaces

by
Emre Mülazimoğlu, PhD

About the Seminar: A platform enabling information from sub-cellular regimes to years long circuit level modifications will revolutionize our understanding of the brain’s inner workings and the treatment of widespread brain disorders. Current neurotechnologies such as implantable electrical probes have limited temporal stability due to mechanical mismatch between the implant material and the brain tissue. Mesh electronics platform allows seamless integration of electronics using a syringe and enables long-term stable mapping of single neurons and neural circuitry. However, at present this technique’s spatial resolution is limited by its 20 um-scale metal electrodes that are comparable in size to the cells they record from. Here, we propose to create a robust scalable nanoscience-based mesh electronics platform for in-vivo neuroscience. We will employ
active one-dimensional Silicon nanowire field effect transistors onto the mesh electronics platform as active sensors and actuators. This will enable long term stable recording and stimulation of neural activities with high spatial resolution, otherwise not possible using state-of-art techniques. Seamlessly interfacing nanoscience and neuroscience, this platform will enable de-coding the brain’s dynamic circuitry that are at play during learning, memory formation, cognition and aging processes. In addition, it will unlock new avenues for personalized treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

About the Speaker: Dr. Emre Mulazimoglu completed his MScs degree at the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University (METU). His research focused on synthesis and utilization of Silicon nanowires in optoelectronic devices. Following his MSc studies, He moved to The Netherlands for his PhD degree in applied physics at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience. During his PhD, he investigated superconducting oxide interfaces using nanoscale devices. His work created the first superconducting quantum interference devices at the oxide interfaces and later demonstrated for the first-time superconducting quantum point contact devices using nanoscale gates, both realizing superconducting devices with electrostatic interfaces. This created a new research direction in the field of both complex oxides and superconducting circuit elements. Next, he worked as a postdoctoral research fellow first at the Harvard University and then University of Twente. At Harvard University, he developed a new platform, high resolution syringe injectable brain-computer interfaces, for in-vivo neuroscience under the supervision of Prof. Charles M. Lieber. He has (co)-authored 8 papers in international peer-reviewed journals containing high impact scientific journals (among others: Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Communications, Physical Review Letters, Nano Letters).