Allison Hess-Dunning, PhD

My research focuses on developing multi-functional, responsive intracortical interfaces to enable intracortical brain-machine interfaces with long-term reliability. This highly interdisciplinary research involves identification and/or development of well-suited materials, development of manufacturing processes to build microscale devices that integrate novel materials, neural interface device design, and pre-clinical studies. As a team, we have developed mechanically-adaptive neural probes that can be inserted into tissue while stiff, but then rapidly soften after insertion to minimize mechanical mismatch with brain tissue. By building the neural probe from materials that are more similar to brain tissue, we expect to see a reduction in neuroinflammation surrounding the probe and improvements in neural probe integration with tissue. Additionally, anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative agents can be incorporated into the mechanically-adaptive polymer nanocomposite structural material to further reduce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress within the first weeks after implantation. Therapeutic agent administration can be extended by incorporating microfluidic channels that interface with a drug reservoir and pumping mechanism. The combination of mechanical flexibility and local therapeutic delivery improves recorded signal quality from nearby neurons. This work can aid in our understanding of neural circuitry and improve the performance of brain-machine interfaces for individuals with neurological injuries or diseases.