Magneto- and Sono-Genetic Neuromodulation Tools

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Peer Fischer
• Subject Area: Biomedical Systems Technology ; Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 551510105

As non-invasive neuromodulation technologies become critical to gain a better understanding of the brain and for treatments of neurodegenerative diseases, our project aims to advance and develop high-precision, non-invasive magnetism- and ultrasound-based neuromodulation technologies. This new technology will be developed to satisfy unmet needs in the neuroscience community, which will provide molecular and sub-cellular level precision (as in optogenetics) while providing deep penetration and the tetherless and remotely triggered neural activation via magnetic fields and acoustic stimulation. The proposed work combines the expertise of the German and Korean partner teams and centers on the fabrication of magnetic nanostructures by physical methods, their use to transmit torque to neurons, which are thereby actuated, as well as the use of ultrasound to deliver these structures to the brain, and finally the investigation of the externally (non-invasive) application of magnetic and acoustic fields to stimulate neurons. The proposed work will open up new opportunities for technologies to target and examine specific regions of the brain and provide a better understanding of neural brain circuitry.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: South Korea
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Jae-Hyun Lee, Ph.D.