Neural Noise- A closed-loop-capable neural interface platform combines integrated non-viral gene delivery, NIR optogenetics, and electrophysiological recording for deep brain modulation.1
- The platform advances next-generation implantable interfaces and bidirectional neuromodulation; it is preclinical and was reported in Wiley peer-reviewed work.1 1
Weekly enrichment (2026-07-20)
- The primary source is Advanced Science (Adv. Sci. Weinh., e15060, published 2025-11-19; doi:10.1002/advs.202515060) from groups at Taipei Medical University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, describing an implantable device that combines non-viral gene delivery, fiberless NIR optogenetic stimulation, and electrophysiological recording in a single surgical step.2 3
- The device core is a 3D gold inverse opal (AuIO) microelectrode that acts simultaneously as a gene reservoir, a plasmonic light amplifier, and a recording site; localized surface plasmon resonance boosts upconversion so lower NIR power can trigger opsin activation and reduce thermal risk.2
- Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) plasmid DNA (AAV backbone) is complexed with polyethyleneimine-neurotensin (NT-PEI) as a non-viral vector and delivered by electroporation, avoiding the immunogenicity, off-target expression, and regulatory barriers of AAV viral delivery.2
- Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) in a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel were deposited onto microelectrodes by aerosol jet printing along a circular trajectory under 30 µm in diameter, converting deeply penetrating 980 nm NIR light to blue (~475 nm) light for remote activation.2
- In vivo work used male wild-type C57BL/6J mice (postnatal day 60-82), with 10 mice total, split into ex vivo proof-of-concept (n = 5) and in vivo proof-of-concept (n = 5) experiments; the study was IACUC-approved (LAC-2020-0210).2
- Recording used 59 UCNP-3D AuIO microelectrodes (30 µm diameter, 200 µm pitch) plus a reference; extracellular signals from 60 channels were sampled at 25 kHz per channel (16-bit), band-pass filtered 300-3000 Hz with a 60 Hz notch, and spikes were sorted by PCA and k-means clustering.2
- Photostimulation used a collimated 980 nm laser positioned 30 mm above tissue, a ~3 mm beam calibrated to 25-30 mW/mm^2 at the tissue interface, in burst mode of ten trains of four 125 ms pulses (250 ms interstimulus, 2 s inter-train interval), with implantation targeting the hippocampal dentate gyrus.2
- Clinically, the authors position this as an alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS), whose electrical fields nonselectively affect excitatory/inhibitory neurons and passing axons, whereas optogenetics offers cell-type specificity and millisecond resolution relevant to epilepsy, major depressive disorder, and Parkinson’s disease; the platform remains preclinical.2
- Related 2025 work (ACS Nano, doi:10.1021/acsnano.4c16490) coencapsulates UCNPs with flexible microelectrode arrays in a nanoliter polymer carrier delivered in one surgery for chronic multichannel recording plus transcranial NIR optogenetics, reinforcing the trend toward fiber-free closed-loop interfaces.4