SNSF Consolidator Grant awarded to Prof. Stéphanie Lacour

© 2015 www.snf.ch

© 2015 www.snf.ch

Prof. Stéphanie Lacour has been awarded a CONSOLIDATOR GRANT by the SNSF in the context of the so-called “Temporary Backup Schemes” for the European Research Council (ERC) grants. This transitional measure of the SNSF offers the awardee an adequate substitute for ERC grants.

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SOFT - Soft bioelectronics for bidirectional neural implants

SOFT proposes a paradigm shift in our technological offer to neural implants. The next generation of implantable neuroprostheses will be soft and intimately integrated with the neural tissues, three dimensional, capable of distributed and local delivery of multiple inputs e.g. electricity, light, drugs, monitor activity from one or several neurons at a time, and function reliably even in clinically relevant chronic settings.

The key objective of this SOFT project is to invent and implement novel technologies for chronic neural implants that are “by design” adapted to the soft and delicate neural tissues, and respond to medical needs and demands. The specific objectives are to (1) develop a new toolbox for long-term bidirectional neural implants based on soft materials, devices and constructs i.e. soft bioelectronics, (2) assess the efficiency of matching the physical tissue/implant interface on preventing foreign body reactions, and (3) deliver and test the novel neurotechnologies in two selected sensorimotor neuroprosthesis: peripheral nerve and deep brain interfaces.

The innovative implants and novel technologies resulting from SOFT will enable fundamental new studies of the mechanisms of brain and nerve functions, and start new repair strategies to restore lost neuronal functions. The impact of the proposed research is significant both on scientific and societal grounds. SOFT will not only mobilize the fields of neural engineering and neurorehabilitation but also initiate a transdisciplinary effort in materials science, electrical and mechanical engineering by setting yet a new evolution in microfabricated devices, and uniting electronics and neuroscience.

Duration of the project: 60
Total Amount: CHF 1’999’978.-
Domains: Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences, Material Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics, Optoelectronics, Neurophysiology and Brain Research, Biomedical Engineering