Thesis Project Form
Title (tentative): Development of a closed-loop peristaltic pump prototype for in vitro neuromodulation| Thesis advisor(s): Massobrio Paolo, Martina Brofiga | E-mail: |
| Address: Via All'Opera Pia, 13 - 16145 Genova | Phone: (+39) 010 33 52761 |
Description
Motivation and application domain
The modulation of the electrophysiological activity of large-scale neuronal networks by means of external input is fundamental in the light of interacting with the neuronal system. In this sense, the delivery of ad hoc concentrations of neuromodulators would allow to finely control the firing and bursting features of in vitro neuronal networks. The goal of this thesis, performed in conjunction with the start-up ScreenNeuroPharm, is to design a low-cost peristaltic pump to control delivery of neuromodulators.
General objectives and main activities
- Design the features of the peristaltic pump
- Design the control circuit to allow a closed-loop stimulation
- Test the peristaltic pump prototype on in vitro neuronal networks coupled to Micro-Electrode Arrays (MEAs)
- Analyze the recorded data to compare the effect of the delivery of the neuromodulators
- Design the control circuit to allow a closed-loop stimulation
- Test the peristaltic pump prototype on in vitro neuronal networks coupled to Micro-Electrode Arrays (MEAs)
- Analyze the recorded data to compare the effect of the delivery of the neuromodulators
Training Objectives (technical/analytical tools, experimental methodologies)
- Acquiring knowledge in the design of peristaltic pump
- Acquiring knowledge in the control of peristaltic pump
- Design of experimental protocols
- Use of MEA-based electrophysiological set-up
- Acquiring knowledge in the control of peristaltic pump
- Design of experimental protocols
- Use of MEA-based electrophysiological set-up
Place(s) where the thesis work will be carried out: DIBRIS
Additional information
Pre-requisite abilities/skills: Neuroengineeering, Electrophysiology, MEA, Arduino programming, Computational Neuroscience
Curriculum: Neuroengineering
Maximum number of students: 1
Financial support/scholarship: -