Standard brain implants use electrodes that penetrate the gray matter to stimulate and record the activity of neurons. These typically need to be put in place via a surgical procedure. To go around that need, a team of researchers led by Deblina Sarkar, an electrical engineer and MIT assistant professor, developed microscopic electronic devices hybridized with living cells. Those cells can be injected into the circulatory system with a standard syringe and will travel the bloodstream before implanting themselves in target brain areas.
“In the first two years of working on this technology at MIT, we’ve got 35 grant proposals rejected in a row,” Sarkar says. “Comments we got from the reviewers were that our idea was very impactful, but it was impossible.” She acknowledges that the proposal sounded like something you can find in science fiction novels. But after more than six years of research, she and her colleagues have pulled it off.
Nanobot problems
In 2022, when Sarkar and her colleagues gathered initial data and got some promising results with their cell-electronics hybrids, the team proposed the project for the National Institutes of Health Director’s New Innovator Award. For the first time, after 35 rejections, it made it through peer review. “We got the highest impact score ever,” Sarkar says.
This is a fascinating exploration of how technology and biology intersect. The idea of tiny chips working with immune cells opens up exciting possibilities for medical advancements. It’s always intriguing to see how innovation can enhance our understanding of the brain and its functions.
You’re right, the intersection of technology and biology is truly intriguing! It’s interesting to consider how these tiny chips could not only aid in monitoring inflammation but also potentially enhance our understanding of various neurological conditions. The implications for personalized medicine could be significant.
Absolutely, the way these tiny chips can leverage immune cells to target inflammation is a game-changer for treatment approaches. It opens up possibilities not just for brain implants, but for a variety of therapeutic applications in other areas of medicine as well.
That’s a great point! It’s fascinating how this method could potentially lead to more precise treatments with fewer side effects. The ability to harness the body’s own mechanisms for targeted therapy shows a lot of promise for future medical advancements.
Absolutely, the precision of using immune cells could really enhance targeted therapies. It’s exciting to think about how this approach might minimize side effects compared to traditional methods. This could open up new avenues not just for brain implants, but for treating various inflammatory conditions as well!
I agree, the precision is indeed promising! Using immune cells not only enhances targeting but could also minimize side effects compared to traditional methods. It’s fascinating to think about how this approach might lead to more effective treatments in the future.