06 Dec Reversing Blindness With A Wireless Nanotube System
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Lilach Bareket
School of Electrical Engineering, ‡Tel Aviv University Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and ⊥School of Chemistry,
Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
Medical Research: What is the background for this study?
Response: Neuro-prosthetic devices aim to restore impaired function through
artificial stimulation of the nervous system. Visual prosthetic
devices, operating by light activation of neurons, are presently
developed as an approach to treat blindness. In particular, in the
case of patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration in
which the photoreceptors in the retina degenerate.
Medical Research: What are the main findings?
Response: To address the challenges of high resolution, wire free optical
stimulation of neurons along with effective interfacing with neuronal
tissue, we have combined semiconductor nanorods and 3D porous carbon
nanotubes matrix patterned on a flexible film. The Nanorod-carbon
nanotube matrix works as a photo-responsive film. The porous
nanomaterial film supports efficient light absorbance and charge
transfer as well as adhesion to neurons, while the flexible support
further contributes to compatibility with the soft tissue.
Illumination of light-insensitive retinas, derived from chick embryos,
placed on top of our photoresponsive film, resulted with stimulation
of neuronal activity.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Response: Our Nanorod-carbon nanotube system demonstrates how new materials can be applied to efficiently and wirelessly stimulate neurons with light.
Such system can be potentially used to restore light sensitivity to a
damaged retina in case of photoreceptor degeneration.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future study includes long term in vivo implantation tests in animals
as well as further study on physical mechanism of device operation.
This research was conducted by an interdisciplinary team of
researchers from Tel Aviv University, The Hebrew University of
Jerusalem and Newcastle University.
Citation:
Nano Letters 2014 14 (11), 6685-6692
Last Updated on December 6, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD