Carmen Bartic
Bioelectronic Systems
in vitro cellular platforms
imec
Prof. Dr. Carmen Bartic – carmen.bartic@imec.be
Dr. Wolfgang Eberle – wolfgang.eberle@imec.be
Science, relevant to NERF
Our group develops bio-electronic hybrid systems allowing a bi-directional signal exchange between electrogenic cells and electronic devices. Both electrical and chemical signals generated by cells are interrogated. Possible applications of our technologies include drug screening and basic neuroscience (e.g. investigating disease mechanisms, cellular signaling etc).
Figure 1. (A) IMEC’s NEURAY chip containing electrode arrays for in vitro recording and stimulation of electrogenic cells; (B) Detail of a microfabricated needle-like electrode structure on the NEURAY chip
Our activities:
- Design, fabrication and packaging of arrays of chemical and electrical cellular probes using advanced CMOS technologies and CMOS-compatible processes
- Development of methodologies for surface passivation of active electronic devices that takes into account particularities of the biologic and electronic components of the system
- Creation of cell-friendly microenvironment on chip: attachment of bioactive molecules; fabrication of confinement structures for long-term survival of the neurons, guided neuronal growth and efficient signal transfer between the cell membrane and the active chip surface
- Packaging and system integration
Potential interactions with NERF
With our unique knowhow and extensive infrastructure in microfabrication and nanotechnologies as well as multidisciplinary expertise in biosensors and bio-electronic interfacing, we aim to become the main technology provider for NERF. Our devices and technologies will provide the way to probe and control the nervous system at the level of a single cell and single synapse.
Figure 2. (A) SEM photograph of a neuroblastoma cell cultured on arrays of submicron electrodes; (B) Detail of multiple electrodes probing the same cell
Selected publications
- Braeken D, Rand DR, Andrei A, et al., ‘Glutamate sensing with enzyme-modified floating-gate field effect transistors’, Biosensors&Bioelectronics, 24, 2384-2389, 2009;
- Jans K, Van Meerbergen B, Reekmans G, et al., ‘Chemical and Biological Characterization of Thiol SAMs for Neuronal Cell Attachment’, Langmuir, 25, 4564-4570, 2009;
- Van Meerbergen B, Loo J, Huys R, et al., ‘Functionalised microneedles for enhanced neuronal adhesion’, JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL NANOSCIENCE, 3, 147-156, 2008;
- Huys R, Braeken D, Van Meerbergen B, et al., ‘Novel concepts for improved communication between nerve cells and silicon electronic devices’, SOLID-STATE ELECTRONICS 52, 533-539, 2008
More info on: http://www2.imec.be/imec_com/brain-computer-interfaces.php
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