Barcelona, Spain – A groundbreaking study has introduced an innovative graphene-based neurotechnology developed by the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) and collaborating partners. This new technology holds the potential for significant advancements in neuroscience and therapeutic applications by demonstrating high-precision neural interfaces and targeted nerve modulation.
Published in Nature Nanotechnology, the study showcases a novel graphene-based neurotechnology that aims to revolutionize neuroscience and medical applications. Spearheaded by ICN2 in collaboration with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and other national and international partners, this research is paving the way for therapeutic applications through the spin-off INBRAIN Neuroelectronics.
After years of research under the European Graphene Flagship project, ICN2, along with the University of Manchester, developed EGNITE (Engineered Graphene for Neural Interfaces), a groundbreaking flexible and high-resolution graphene-based implantable neurotechnology. This new technology integrates fabrication processes standard in the semiconductor industry to produce graphene microelectrodes with low impedance and high charge injection, essential for efficient neural interfaces.
Preclinical studies conducted by neuroscience and biomedical experts partnered with ICN2 have demonstrated the capabilities of EGNITE in recording high-fidelity neural signals with exceptional clarity and precision. This innovative technology offers highly targeted nerve modulation, addressing a critical gap in the field of neurotechnology that has seen minimal material advancements in recent years.
The development of EGNITE electrodes has the potential to position graphene as a leading material in neurotechnological advancements, building on the European Graphene Flagship initiative’s legacy. An international collaboration led by ICN2 researchers has worked tirelessly to advance the technology, with plans for clinical translation and first-in-human clinical trials led by INBRAIN Neuroelectronics.
Based in Barcelona, INBRAIN Neuroelectronics is spearheading the translation of this innovative graphene technology into clinical applications and products, paving the way for a new era of therapeutic neurotechnology. The industrial and innovation landscape on semiconductor engineering in Catalonia provides an opportunity to accelerate the translation of these groundbreaking results into real-world applications, promising transformative impacts in the field of neuroscience.
This innovative graphene-based neurotechnology presents a promising future for advancements in neuroscience and medical applications, with the potential to revolutionize the way we approach therapeutic interventions in neuroelectronic therapeutics. With continued advancements and maturity of this technology, ICN2 and its partners are on the path to translating it into a truly efficacious and innovative therapeutic neurotechnology.