Project Details
Description
Organic bioelectronic medicine is a new modality in drug discovery that uses electricity to treat diseases by altering the electrical communication between cells. All cells are electrically active, endogenous electrical signaling originates from transmembrane potentials and contributes to cell behaviors, such as migration, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. In addition, electrical
signals are also involved in tissue development and repair. Neuromodulation by electronically interfacing the peripheral nervous system, the central nervous system, or both is a grand challenge (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and pain). These approaches are mostly focused on symptomatic treatments, thus. switching the current off gives a rebound of the disease. In addition,
there is now a growing interest to treat cancer (e.g., glioblastoma) that generally have malfunctions in cells’ bioelectrical circuitry. However, most of current bioelectronic treatments are focused on galvanic processes, i.e., polarization of cells by modulating ion concentrations. Thus, an unexplored avenue in bioelectronic medicine is to use faradic processes, controlled electron
transfer to tissue, to modify oxidation status.
We have recently developed an ionic and electronic conductive organic polymer. This polymer form water-dispersed nanoparticles, and aggregates into a conductive structure when injected in brain. The polymer is injected using a microcapillary needle and is dissolved naturally in the tissue after a
period of time, making it minimally invasive. This project focus on using both galvanic and faradic processes to treat diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancer (glioblastoma), by modulating the properties of the injectable polymer. A main focus will be to study electron transfer both in vitro and in vivo.
signals are also involved in tissue development and repair. Neuromodulation by electronically interfacing the peripheral nervous system, the central nervous system, or both is a grand challenge (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and pain). These approaches are mostly focused on symptomatic treatments, thus. switching the current off gives a rebound of the disease. In addition,
there is now a growing interest to treat cancer (e.g., glioblastoma) that generally have malfunctions in cells’ bioelectrical circuitry. However, most of current bioelectronic treatments are focused on galvanic processes, i.e., polarization of cells by modulating ion concentrations. Thus, an unexplored avenue in bioelectronic medicine is to use faradic processes, controlled electron
transfer to tissue, to modify oxidation status.
We have recently developed an ionic and electronic conductive organic polymer. This polymer form water-dispersed nanoparticles, and aggregates into a conductive structure when injected in brain. The polymer is injected using a microcapillary needle and is dissolved naturally in the tissue after a
period of time, making it minimally invasive. This project focus on using both galvanic and faradic processes to treat diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancer (glioblastoma), by modulating the properties of the injectable polymer. A main focus will be to study electron transfer both in vitro and in vivo.
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 2022/11/01 → 2026/12/01 |
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This project contributes towards the following SDG(s):
