Integrated, locally-synthesized, and genetically-targeted polymer systems in neural tissue
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Recent advancements in the development of implantable brain-machine interfaces have bridged the communication gap between the brain and modern electronics. While much work has been done to optimize the electrode-tissue interface of these devices, a bioelectronic system that can reliably interact with and identify genetically-specific neural circuits within whole, intact 3D volumes of tissue is yet to be realized. Therefore, novel approaches for building seamlessly integrated tools that are more intimately connected to biological elements in tissue are highly desirable. An alternative to pre-fabrication and subsequent implantation of small-scale, mechanically compliant electronic devices is locally-performed synthesis that directly integrates material with cells and soft tissue, for which there has been little precedence. In this work, the mechanical and chemical properties of polymer-brain hybrid materials synthesized directly inside of rodent brains using CLARITY were obtained to more deeply understand the interactions amongst polymer precursor reagents and tissue, which can significantly alter optical properties of tissue while preserving molecular structure. Next, a novel strategy was developed to generate functional organic materials directly on specific neurons and their subcomponents using a genetically-encoded enzyme to trigger polymerization. Quantitative analysis of the resulting material verified the genetically-specific and enzyme-mediated synthesis of a conductive polymer layer proximal to the surface of neurons. Furthermore, whole-cell patch clamp and extracellular electrical recording measurements indicated that this polymerization strategy did not have short-term cytotoxic effects in cultured unfixed neurons and acute mouse brain slices. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of new methodologies for in situ polymer synthesis to maintain intimate connections with biological targets in the brain, and inspire next-generation bioelectronic tissue-device interfaces that can enhance our study of intact, whole-tissue dynamics with exceptional control and spatial resolution.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic; electronic resource; remote |
| Extent | 1 online resource. |
| Publication date | 2017 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Associated with | Tom, Ariane |
|---|---|
| Associated with | Stanford University, Department of Bioengineering. |
| Primary advisor | Bao, Zhenan |
| Primary advisor | Deisseroth, Karl |
| Thesis advisor | Bao, Zhenan |
| Thesis advisor | Deisseroth, Karl |
| Thesis advisor | Heilshorn, Sarah |
| Advisor | Heilshorn, Sarah |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | Ariane Tom. |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Department of Bioengineering. |
| Thesis | Thesis (Ph.D.)--Stanford University, 2017. |
| Location | electronic resource |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2017 by Ariane Claire Tom
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