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Figure 1. Scanning electron micrograph of
natural polymer based fibers incorporating
single-wall carbon nanotubes
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The primary goal of the Neural Interface Project is to address the current need for improving sensory and stimulatory prosthetic devices for people with spinal cord injuries and other central nervous system diseases. In particular, carbon nanotube fibers (CNF, Figure 1) constructed from natural polymer with single-wall carbon nanotubes are expected to ameliorate the gliosis and electrophysiological dysfunction associated with metal/silicon-based constructs.
The Kohn Lab works to construct and test carbon nanotube fibers that combine unique properties to provide a substrate that promotes neural cell adhesim, shows increased conductivity and a reduced affinity for glia. Our unique systems allow us to fabricate CNF while keeping them biocompatible, and moreover, the natural base materials used are enhanced with covalent addition of extracellular proteins, thus increasing their affinity to neural cells. By assessing in vitro neuro compatibility, and in vivo glial scar formation following injury we can determine the effects of conductivity, mechanical properties, and the modified surface chemistry of the fibers on their potential use in neural prosthetics.
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Figure 2. Images show Carbon Nanotube Fibers ability to covalently attach proteins to the surface of our polymer systems. Fluorescently conjugated protein (right) is shown as an example of this capability. |
Project Leader: Dan Lewitus, PhD candidate
Funding Source: National Institutes of Health (5 R01 EB007467-03).
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