Self-Implanting Nanoelectronic Brain Stimulators as Novel Therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease

My research combines the interdisciplinary fields of nanoelectronics, applied-physics and biology, with two main research thrusts: 1> develop disruptive technologies for ultra-scaled and ultra-low power nanoelectronic devices and 2> merge such next generation technologies with living-matter to create new paradigm for life-machine symbiosis in order to transform healthcare. The versatility of nanoelectronics is that they can be built from scratch according to an engineer’s dream to perform functions, which are beyond the capabilities of biology. My goal is to harness this prowess of nanoelectronics while building extremely low power technologies (in order to work in deep tissues with minimal harnessed energy and without heating effects) and ultra-small completely wireless subcellular-sized structures which can be seamlessly integrated into our biological system. Such devices can cause paradigm shift in human-machine synergism. While my aims for short and middle terms, are to build and employ such devices for probing and controlling/modulating (for therapeutics) our body and brain with unprecedented precision, my long-term goal is to achieve seamless integration of inorganic-organic hybrid nanostructures into our biological systems to incorporate functionalities, not otherwise enabled by biology, and thus, help us transcend beyond our biological constraints.

Dr. Sarkar is an assistant professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and AT&T Career Development Chair Professor at MIT Media Lab. She heads the Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek research group and carries out trans-disciplinary research fusing engineering, applied physics, and biology to develop disruptive technologies for nanoelectronic devices and create new paradigms for life-machine symbiosis. Her inventions include, among others, a 6-atom thick channel quantum-mechanical transistor overcoming fundamental power limitations, an ultra-sensitive label-free biosensor, technology for nanoscale deciphering of biological building blocks of brain and ultra-miniaturized antenna that can work wirelessly from inside a living cell. Her PhD dissertation was honored as one of the top 3 dissertations throughout USA and Canada in the field of Mathematics, Physical sciences and all departments of Engineering. She is the recipient of numerous other awards and recognitions, including the Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 from India, NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, the IEEE Early Career Award in Nanotechnology, Innovative Young Engineer Recognition from National Academy of Engineers, the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award with the highest and rarely achieved impact score, the MIND Prize and the Science News 10 Scientists to Watch.

In this project, we will develop wireless subcellular sized nanoelectronic devices and configure them as a novel treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Current AD therapies only provide marginal symptomatic benefits due to lack of early intervention and irreversible neuron loss after cognitive impairment. Pathological neuroinflammation, tau and amyloid-β aggregations, which are hallmarks of AD, start in small brain regions and localized neuromodulation of these specific regions can prevent disease progression.

"The MIND Prize is helping to support my pursuit of bold ideas in the field of neuroengineering, as well as the development of technologies that could one day provide early intervention for neurodegenerative diseases, and diseases of aging, like Alzheimer's disease."

However, existing neuromodulation technologies are unable to achieve this: wired electrodes are highly invasive requiring surgery and also preclude multi-region stimulation; non-invasive technologies lack ability to stimulate spatially precise, deep and/or non-sensory nodes associated with early disease stages; genetic technologies have translational challenges. Our technology, for the first time, can enable localized stimulation of diseased brain regions with high spatio-temporal resolution, which can provide benefits of early-stage intervention to slow down and even prevent AD development.