MSc thesis project proposal
[2017; already taken] LED+Electrode Array for Local Optogenetic Stimulation and Recording
Project outside the university
in collaboration with the Neuroscience Dept. at ErasmusMCAn example of localized stimulation is the following: stimulating the upper half of the thalamus while the lower half is not being stimulated, or vice versa. Obtaining the result of the effect of these stimulations is possible by locally recording the electrical activity of the neurons involved.
Therefore, to perform precise local stimulation, it is vital that each micro-LED on the LED array used for the optogenetic stimulation only emits light into the areas that are not covered by the emission of the other LEDs.
Moreover, to accurately capture the effects of the stimulation, recording electrodes are required that are able to record the neural activity exactly and only at the area stimulated by the active LED.
Assignment
For this research assignment, the object of study is stimulation and recording of the thalamus in mice. A mouse's thalamus has a vertical length of less than 1.5 mm. Therefore, the stimulation must occur within this area. This, in turn, implies that the LED+recording array must contain all the LEDs and recording points within this area. Hence, micro-machining is required to fabricate the LED+Electrode arrays.Students will work on microfabrication and enjoy a very fruitful collaboration with the Neuroscience Department in Rotterdam.
Requirements
MSc student in Biomedical Engineering or Microelectronics with affinity to microfabrication. The student must have attended/completed Active Implantable Biomedical Microsystems (EE4555).Contact
dr. Vasiliki Giagka
Bioelectronics Group
Department of Microelectronics
Last modified: 2019-04-14