Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Colloquium
Dr. Flavia Vitale
Associate Professor of Neurology and Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania
When nano meets neuro: engineering high-resolution bioelectronics from nanoscale soft conductors
12.11.24 | 4:10PM | 134 Featheringill Hall
The ability to record, modulate, and dynamically interface with the activity of cells, tissues, and organs is critical for investigating function, behavior, and disease, as well as for designing therapeutic interventions. Novel multiscale bioelectronic interfaces with enhanced sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution are needed to establish reliable input/output connections with excitable circuits – from locally connected groups of cells to the whole body. The realization, dissemination, and adoption of the next-generation bioelectronics, however, require addressing critical limitations in performance, scalability, and cost. In this talk, I will discuss how nanoscale nanomaterials can be engineered into high-resolution, minimally invasive bioelectronic interfaces designed to seamlessly map and control the activity of neural circuits at multiple scales. Specifically, I will describe the fundamental electrochemical properties of 2D transition metal carbides (a.k.a. MXenes) for neural recording and stimulation, and how these translate into impedance and noise reduction when MXenes are integrated into cellular-scale devices. Then, I will present ad hoc, scalable, rapid manufacturing processes designed to translate the material properties at the molecular scale to high-resolution, low impedance bioelectronic interfaces that are also compatible with clinical neuroimaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Finally, I will present examples of applications of MXene-based bioelectronics in both invasive and wearable interfaces.
Bio: Dr. Flavia Vitale is an Associate Professor of Neurology and Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. She also has appointments in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, in the Penn Center for Neuroengineering and Therapeutics, and in the Center of Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration at the Philadelphia VA. Dr. Vitale earned a B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the Università Campus Biomedico di Roma in 2008, and in 2012 she received her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the Università di Roma “La Sapienza”. She then completed a first postdoctoral training in Chemical Engineering at Rice University, followed by a postdoc in Neuroengineering at Penn, and in 2018 she joined the Penn faculty. Dr. Vitale’s research interests are in the area of advanced bioelectronic interfaces for studying, diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous and neuromuscular systems. By integrating materials science with neuroengineering approaches, the ultimate goal of the Vitale Lab is to translate bioelectronic innovations to patient care and improve outcomes. Dr. Vitale’s work has been recognized with several awards, including the NSF CAREER, K12 Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Engineering Career Development Award from the NIH, the 2021 Global Young Scientist Award from iCANX, Early Career Distinguished presenter from Materials Communication, Taking Flight Award from Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, and the McCabe Fellow Award from the University of Pennsylvania.
Host: Daniel Gonzales