Diego Ghezzi
Nationality: Italian
EPFL STI IBI-STI LNE
B3 3 238.134 (Campus Biotech bâtiment B3)
Ch. des Mines 9
1202 Genève
+41 21 693 37 34
Office: B3 3 246.134
EPFL › SV › SV-SSV › SSV-ENS
Website: https://sv.epfl.ch/education
Expertise
Neuro-optoelectronic interfaces, visual prosthesis, optical stimulation, microfabrication, polymers, neuroprosthetics, biocompatibility, visual system, sight restoration, sensory perception, artificial photoreceptors
Expertise
Neuro-optoelectronic interfaces, visual prosthesis, optical stimulation, microfabrication, polymers, neuroprosthetics, biocompatibility, visual system, sight restoration, sensory perception, artificial photoreceptors
Mission
Our laboratory is a multidisciplinary environment promoting cross-fertilization among various expertise. We bring materials science, engineering, life science, and medicine together by the convergence of physicists, engineers, neuroscientists, and ophthalmologists cooperating to accomplish innovative projects. Our mission is the development of application-driven solutions based on compliant, minimally invasive, and replaceable neuroprosthetic devices. Ultimately, we aim at translating our research findings into clinical practice.
Prof. Diego Ghezzi holds the Medtronic Chair in Neuroengineering at the School of Engineering at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. He received his M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering (2004) and Ph.D. in Bioengineering (2008) from Politecnico di Milano. From 2008 to 2013, he completed his postdoctoral training at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Genova at the Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies; where he was promoted to Researcher in 2013. In 2015, he was appointed as Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at the EPFL Center for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering.
Education
Ph.D.
| Bioengineering
2008 – 2008
Politecnico di Milano
Directed by
Supervisor Prof. Giancarlo Ferrigno, Department of Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Laurea
| Biomedical Engineering
2004 – 2004
Politecnico di Milano
Directed by
Supervisors Prof. Sara Mantero and Prof. Giancarlo Ferrigno, Department of Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Professionals experiences
Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
Journal Articles
2023
[1] The role of the visual field size in artificial vision
Journal Of Neural Engineering. 2023-04-01. Vol. 20, num. 2, p. 023001. DOI : 10.1088/1741-2552/acc7cd.[2] Engineering Materials for Neurotechnology
Advanced Engineering Materials. 2023-01-27. DOI : 10.1002/adem.202201412.2022
[3] Conformable neural interface based on off-stoichiometry thiol-ene-epoxy thermosets
Biomaterials. 2022-12-29. Vol. 293, p. 121979. DOI : 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121979.[4] Locomotion of Sensor‐Integrated Soft Robotic Devices Inside Sub‐Millimeter Arteries with Impaired Flow Conditions
Advanced Intelligent Systems. 2022-02-25. p. 2100247. DOI : 10.1002/aisy.202100247.[5] POLYRETINA restores light responses in vivo in blind Gottingen minipigs
Nature Communications. 2022-06-27. Vol. 13, num. 1, p. 3678. DOI : 10.1038/s41467-022-31180-z.[6] Editorial: Nanomaterials for Communicating With the Brain
Frontiers In Neuroscience. 2022-05-02. Vol. 16, p. 918949. DOI : 10.3389/fnins.2022.918949.[7] Three-dimensional multilayer concentric bipolar electrodes restrict spatial activation in optic nerve stimulation
Journal Of Neural Engineering. 2022-06-01. Vol. 19, num. 3, p. 036016. DOI : 10.1088/1741-2552/ac6d7e.2021
[8] Organic semiconductors for light-mediated neuromodulation
Communications Materials. 2021-11-08. Vol. 2, num. 1, p. 111. DOI : 10.1038/s43246-021-00217-z.[9] Questions about the role of P3HT nanoparticles in retinal stimulation
Nature Nanotechnology. 2021-12-01. Vol. 16, num. 12, p. 1330–1332. DOI : 10.1038/s41565-021-01044-6.[10] Transient electronics: new opportunities for implantable neurotechnology
Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 2021-08-28. Vol. 72, p. 22-28. DOI : 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.08.011.[11] Transient Neurovascular Interface for Minimally Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulation
Advanced Materials Technologies. 2021-06-13. p. 2100176. DOI : 10.1002/admt.202100176.[12] All-polymeric transient neural probe for prolonged in-vivo electrophysiological recordings
Biomaterials. 2021-05-10. Vol. 274, p. 120889. DOI : 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120889.[13] A machine-learning algorithm correctly classifies cortical evoked potentials from both visual stimulation and electrical stimulation of the optic nerve
Journal Of Neural Engineering. 2021-08-01. Vol. 18, num. 4, p. 046031. DOI : 10.1088/1741-2552/abf523.[14] Voices of biotech research
Nature Biotechnology. 2021-03-01. Vol. 39, num. 3, p. 281-286. DOI : 10.1038/s41587-021-00847-1.[15] Photovoltaic retinal prosthesis restores high-resolution responses to single-pixel stimulation in blind retinas
Communications Materials. 2021-03-05. Vol. 2, num. 1, p. 28. DOI : 10.1038/s43246-021-00133-2.[16] Naturalistic spatiotemporal modulation of epiretinal stimulation increases the response persistence of retinal ganglion cell
Journal of Neural Engineering. 2021. Vol. 18, num. 1, p. 016016. DOI : 10.1088/1741-2552/abcd6f.2020
[17] Virtual reality simulation of epiretinal stimulation highlights the relevance of the visual angle in prosthetic vision
Journal of Neural Engineering. 2020-09-07. Vol. 17, num. 5, p. 056019. DOI : 10.1088/1741-2552/abb5bc.[18] Photovoltaic organic interface for neuronal stimulation in the near-infrared
Communications Materials. 2020-05-01. Vol. 1, num. 1, p. 21. DOI : 10.1038/s43246-020-0023-4.[19] All-Printed Electrocorticography Array for In Vivo Neural Recordings
Advanced Engineering Materials. 2020-01-27. p. 1901403. DOI : 10.1002/adem.201901403.[20] IMPLANTED DEVICES Translation of a photovoltaic retinal prosthesis
Nature Biomedical Engineering. 2020-02-12. Vol. 4, p. 137–138. DOI : 10.1038/s41551-020-0520-2.[21] Spatially selective activation of the visual cortex via intraneural stimulation of the optic nerve
Nature Biomedical Engineering. 2020. Vol. 4, p. 181–194. DOI : 10.1038/s41551-019-0446-8.2019
[22] Gene Editing Preserves Visual Functions in a Mouse Model of Retinal Degeneration
Frontiers In Neuroscience. 2019-09-10. Vol. 13, p. 945. DOI : 10.3389/fnins.2019.00945.[23] Capacitive-like photovoltaic epiretinal stimulation enhances and narrows the network-mediated activity of retinal ganglion cells by recruiting the lateral inhibitory network
Journal of Neural Engineering. 2019-08-06. Vol. 16, num. 6, p. 066009. DOI : 10.1088/1741-2552/ab3913.[24] Conductive elastomer composites for fully polymeric, flexible bioelectronics
Biomaterials Science. 2019-01-16. Vol. 7, p. 1372-1385. DOI : 10.1039/C8BM01235K.2018
[25] A microfabricated nerve-on-a-chip platform for rapid assessment of neural conduction in explanted peripheral nerve fibers
Nature Communications. 2018-10-23. Vol. 9, num. 1, p. 4403. DOI : 10.1038/s41467-018-06895-7.[26] Multilayer 3D electrodes for neural implants
Journal of Neural Engineering. 2018-09-14. Vol. 16, num. 2, p. 1-12, 026013. DOI : 10.1088/1741-2552/aae191.[27] Development and Characterization of PEDOT:PSS/Alginate Soft Microelectrodes for Application in Neuroprosthetics
Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2018-09-19. Vol. 12, p. 648. DOI : 10.3389/fnins.2018.00648.[28] Upper stimulation threshold for retinal ganglion cell activation
Journal of Neural Engineering. 2018-04-05. Vol. 15, num. 4, p. 046012. DOI : 10.1088/1741-2552/aabb7d.[29] Design and validation of a foldable and photovoltaic wide-field epiretinal prosthesis
Nature Communications. 2018-03-08. Vol. 9, num. 1, p. 992. DOI : 10.1038/s41467-018-03386-7.2017
[30] Aerobic exercise and a BDNF-mimetic therapy rescue learning and memory in a mouse model of Down syndrome
Scientific Reports. 2017. Vol. 7, num. 1, p. 16825. DOI : 10.1038/s41598-017-17201-8.[31] A fully organic retinal prosthesis restores vision in a rat model of degenerative blindness
Nature Materials. 2017. Vol. 16, p. 681–689. DOI : 10.1038/nmat4874.2016
[32] Characterization of a Polymer-Based, Fully Organic Prosthesis for Implantation into the Subretinal Space of the Rat
Advanced Healthcare Materials. 2016. Vol. 5, num. 17, p. 2271-2282. DOI : 10.1002/adhm.201600318.[33] Light-evoked hyperpolarization and silencing of neurons by conjugated polymers
Scientific Reports. 2016. Vol. 6, p. 22718. DOI : 10.1038/srep22718.[34] Targeted in vivo genetic manipulation of the mouse or rat brain by in utero electroporation with a triple-electrode probe
Nature Protocols. 2016. Vol. 11, num. 3, p. 399-412. DOI : 10.1038/nprot.2016.014.2015
[35] Inflammatory and morphological characterisation of a foreign body retinal response
European Journal of Neurodegenerative Diseases. 2015. Vol. 4, num. 1, p. 23-28.[36] Photothermal cellular stimulation in functional bio-polymer interfaces
Scientific Reports. 2015. Vol. 5, p. 8911. DOI : 10.1038/srep08911.2013
[37] High-performance and reliable site-directed in vivo genetic manipulation of mouse and rat brain by in utero electroporation with a triple-electrode probe
Protocol Exchange. 2013. DOI : 10.1038/protex.2013.089.[38] Lithium rescues synaptic plasticity and memory in Down syndrome mice
Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2013. Vol. 123, num. 1, p. 348-361. DOI : 10.1172/JCI64650.[39] A polymer optoelectronic interface restores light sensitivity in blind rat retinas
Nature Photonics. 2013. Vol. 7, num. 5, p. 400-406. DOI : 10.1038/nphoton.2013.34.2012
[40] A novel environmental chamber for neuronal network multisite recordings
Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2012. Vol. 109, num. 10, p. 2553-2566. DOI : 10.1002/bit.24526.[41] High-performance and site-directed in utero electroporation by a triple-electrode probe
Nature Communications. 2012. Vol. 3, p. 960. DOI : 10.1038/ncomms1961.[42] Large-scale, high-resolution electrophysiological imaging of field potentials in brain slices with microelectronic multielectrode arrays
Frontiers in Neural Circuits. 2012. Vol. 6, p. 80. DOI : 10.3389/fncir.2012.00080.[43] Sound-Driven Synaptic Inhibition in Primary Visual Cortex
Neuron. 2012. Vol. 73, num. 4, p. 814-828. DOI : 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.12.026.2011
[44] A hybrid bioorganic interface for neuronal photoactivation
Nature Communications. 2011. Vol. 2, p. 166. DOI : 10.1038/ncomms1164.2010
[45] Development and Validation of a Spike Detection and Classification Algorithm Aimed at Implementation on Hardware Devices
Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience. 2010. Vol. 2010, p. 1-15. DOI : 10.1155/2010/659050.2009
[46] A hybrid solid-liquid polymer photodiode for the bioenvironment
Applied Physics Letters. 2009. Vol. 94, num. 24, p. 243501. DOI : 10.1063/1.3153846.2008
[47] Femtosecond Laser Microfabrication of an Integrated Device for Optical Release and Sensing of Bioactive Compounds
Sensors. 2008. Vol. 8, num. 10, p. 6595-6604. DOI : 10.3390/s8106595.[48] A Micro-Electrode Array device coupled to a laser-based system for the local stimulation of neurons by optical release of glutamate
Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 2008. Vol. 175, num. 1, p. 70-78. DOI : 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2008.08.003.2007
[49] PhotoMEA: An opto-electronic biosensor for monitoring in vitro neuronal network activity
Biosystems. 2007. Vol. 87, num. 2-3, p. 150-155. DOI : 10.1016/j.biosystems.2006.09.008.Conference Papers
2021
[50] Three-dimensional concentric bipolar electrodes for high resolution optic nerve stimulation
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2021-06-01.[51] Epiretinal photovoltaic prosthesis with high pixel density
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2021-06-01.2015
[52] Controlling cell functions by light
2015 7th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER). 2015. 2015 7th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER), Montpellier, France, 22-24 April 2015. p. 603-606. DOI : 10.1109/NER.2015.7146695.2013
[53] Increased performance in genetic manipulation by modeling the dielectric properties of the rodent brain
2013 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC). 2013. 2013 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), Osaka, 3-7 July 2013. p. 1615-1618. DOI : 10.1109/EMBC.2013.6609825.2012
[54] Opto-neuronal Interfaces and the Perspective Toward Artificial Retina
2012 International Conference on Fiber Optics and Photonics (PHOTONICS). 2012. 2012 International Conference on Fiber Optics and Photonics (PHOTONICS), Chennai, India, December 9-12, 2012. DOI : 10.1364/PHOTONICS.2012.W3A.2.2008
[55] Spike detection algorithm improvement, spike waveforms projections with PCA and hierarchical classification
Proceedings of the 4th IET International Conference on Advances in Medical, Signal and Information Processing. 2008. 4th IET International Conference on Advances in Medical, Signal and Information Processing (MEDSIP 2008), Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy, July 14-16, 2008. p. 122-122. DOI : 10.1049/cp:20080434.2006
[56] PhotoMEA: A New Step Towards Total Optical Analysis of In Vitro Neuronal Networks
ASME 8th Biennial Conference on Engineering Systems Design and Analysis. 2006. ASME 8th Biennial Conference on Engineering Systems Design and Analysis (ESDA), Torino, Italy, July 4–7, 2006. p. 441-449. DOI : 10.1115/ESDA2006-95218.2005
[57] PhotoMEA: An opto-electronic biosensor for monitoring in vitro neuronal networks activity
Proceedings of the Sixth International Workshop on Information Processing in Cells and Tissues. 2005. Sixth International Workshop on Information Processing in Cells and Tissues (IPCAT), St William’s College, York, United Kingdom, August 30 - September 1, 2005. p. 108-118.Reviews
2022
[58] Advances in visual prostheses: engineering and biological challenges
Progress In Biomedical Engineering. 2022-07-01. Vol. 4, num. 3, p. 032003. DOI : 10.1088/2516-1091/ac812c.2020
[59] Miniaturised Wireless Power Transfer Systems for Neurostimulation: A Review
IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems. 2020-11-17. p. 1-1. DOI : 10.1109/TBCAS.2020.3038599.[60] Organic electronics for neuroprosthetics
Healthcare Technology Letters. 2020-05-18. Vol. 7, num. 3, p. 52-57. DOI : 10.1049/htl.2019.0108.2015
[61] Retinal prostheses: progress toward the next generation implants
Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2015. Vol. 9. DOI : 10.3389/fnins.2015.00290.2014
[62] Shedding Light on Living Cells
Advanced Materials. 2014. Vol. 27, num. 46, p. 7662-7669. DOI : 10.1002/adma.201403513.2013
[63] Organic semiconductors for artificial vision
Journal of Materials Chemistry B. 2013. Vol. 1, num. 31, p. 3768. DOI : 10.1039/c3tb20213e.Theses
2022
[64] Development of a Transient Neural Interface for Minimally Invasive Recording and Stimulation
Lausanne, EPFL, 2022. DOI : 10.5075/epfl-thesis-9629.[65] Fabrication and validation of an intraneural interface tailored for optic nerve stimulation
Lausanne, EPFL, 2022. DOI : 10.5075/epfl-thesis-9268.2021
[66] Investigation of electrical stimulation of the optic nerve for artificial vision
Lausanne, EPFL, 2021. DOI : 10.5075/epfl-thesis-8379.[67] Photovoltaic stimulation of retinal microcircuit for vision restoration
Lausanne, EPFL, 2021. DOI : 10.5075/epfl-thesis-8179.2020
[68] Development of a new visual prosthesis for preclinical studies on artificial vision
Lausanne, EPFL, 2020. DOI : 10.5075/epfl-thesis-7465.[69] In vivo evaluation of gene editing and prosthetic strategies to restore vision in small and large animal models of retinal degeneration
Lausanne, EPFL, 2020. DOI : 10.5075/epfl-thesis-7544.Book Chapters
2014
[70] Emerging Technologies in Retinal Prosthetics
Integrated Multidisciplinary Approaches in the Study and Care of the Human Eye; Kugler Publications, 2014. p. 131-144.[71] The Use of Light-Sensitive Organic Semiconductors to Manipulate Neuronal Activity
Novel Approaches for Single Molecule Activation and Detection; Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2014. p. 189-202.2011
[72] Coupling MEA Recordings and Optical Stimulation: New Optoelectronic Biosensors
Optoelectronics - Devices and Applications; InTech, 2011.Posters
2019
[73] Investigating Single and Multi-Channel Electrical Stimulation of the Optic Nerve for Neuroprosthetic Applications
9th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER 2019), San Francisco, USA, March 20-23, 2019.[74] Development of a large-area and spherical array of polymeric photovoltaic pixels for artificial vision
23rd International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (µTAS), Basel, Switzerland, October 27-31 2019.[75] Development of a Foldable and Photovoltaic Wide-Field Epiretinal Prosthesis
9th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER 2019), San Francisco, USA, March 20-23, 2019.2018
[76] In vivo electrical stimulation of the optic nerve and hybrid computational model for neuroprosthetic applications
11th Forum of European NeuroScience (FENS), Berlin, Germany, July 7-11 2018.[77] Bioresorbable Endovascular Neural Interface for Minimally Invasive Neural Stimulation and Recording
NanoBioTech-Montreux 2028, Montreux, Switzerland, October 29-31, 2018.[78] Soft Three-dimensional self-opening intraneural peripheral interface for optic nerve stimulation
NanoBioTech-Montreux 2018, Montreux, Switzerland, October 29-31, 2018.[79] Neurotrophic-mimetic strategy to rescue synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions in a mouse model of Down syndrome
11th Forum of European NeuroScience (FENS), Berlin, Germany, July 7-11 2018.[80] Preservation of visual function in an animal model of retinal degeneration using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
11th Forum of European NeuroScience (FENS), Berlin, Germany, July 7-11 2018.[81] A comprehensive study of neural retina stimulation towards better visual prosthesis resolution
11th Forum of European NeuroScience (FENS), Berlin, Germany., July 7-11 2018.2017
[82] A fully organic retinal prosthesis restores vision in a rat model of degenerative blindness
Neuroscience 2017 (SFN), Washington, District of Columbia, USA, November 11-15, 2017.[83] Neurotrophic-mimetic strategy to rescue synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions in a mouse model of Down syndrome
Neuroscience 2017 (SFN), Washington, District of Columbia, USA, November 11-15, 2017.[84] Photovoltaic stimulation of retinal ganglion cells with wide-field epiretinal prosthesis
The European Retina Meeting 2017, Paris, France, October 5-7, 2017.[85] Edible Neuroprosthetics
18th CMi Annual Review Meeting, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, May 2, 2017.[86] Fabrication of visual prostheses
18th CMi Annual Review Meeting, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, May 2, 2017.[87] Transient electronics for edible neuroprosthetics
13th International Conference on Organic Electronics (ICOE), St. Petersburg, Russia, June 4-8, 2017.[88] Injectable, self-opening, and freestanding retinal prosthesis for fighting blindness made of conjugated polymers
2017 E-MRS Spring Meeting, Strasbourg, France, May 22-26, 2017.[89] 3D multi-layer probe for application in neuroprosthetics
2017 E-MRS Spring Meeting, Strasbourg, France, May 22-26, 2017.[90] Injectable, Self-opening, and Freestanding Retinal Prosthesis for Fighting Blindness
The Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Baltimore, Maryland, USA, May 7-11, 2017.[91] Gene editing in photoreceptor progenitors prevents visual function loss in a mouse model of retinal degeneration
The Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Baltimore, Maryland, USA, May 7-11, 2017.2016
[92] Injectable, Self-opening, and Freestanding Retinal Prosthesis for Fighting Blindness
NanoBioTech-Montreux, Montreux, Switzerland, November 7-9, 2016.[93] When Polymeric Materials meet Neuroengineering
Bioengineering Day, Geneva, Switzerland, September 28, 2016.[94] Electroporation for the delivery of gene therapy in the retina
Bioengineering Day, Geneva, Switzerland, September 28, 2016.[95] Injectable, self-opening, and freestanding retinal prosthesis
17th CMi Annual Review Meeting, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, May 3, 2016.[96] Injectable, self-opening, and freestanding retinal prosthesis for fighting blindness
2016 CNP Annual Retreat, Chamonix Mont Blanc, France, January 25-26, 2016.2015
[97] Light-Evoked Modulation of Neuronal Activity with Conjugated Polymers
7th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER), Montpellier, France, April 22-24, 2015.2014
[98] Physical exercise rescues adult neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity and memory in down syndrome mice
9th FENS Forum of Neuroscience, Milano, Italy, July 5-9, 2014.2013
[99] A polymer-based interface restores light sensitivity in rat blind retinas
Neuroscience 2013 (SFN), San Diego, California, USA, October 9-13, 2013.[100] A polymer-based interface restores light sensitivity in rat blind retinas
Annual Meeting of The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Seattle, Washington, USA, May 5-9, 2013.2012
[101] A Role For Adult Neurogenesis In Dentate Synaptic Plasticity Deficits And Memory Impairment In Down Syndrome
8th Forum of European NeuroScience (FENS), Barcelona, Spain, July 14-18, 2012.[102] High-performance and site-directed in utero electroporation by a triple-electrode probe
Neuroscience 2012 (SFN), New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, October 13-17, 2012.[103] A role for adult neurogenesis in dentate synaptic plasticity deficits and memory impairment in Down syndrome
Neuroscience 2012 (SFN), New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, October 13-17, 2012.[104] Organic electronics allows the photo-electric excitation of neuronal activity in primary neuronal cultures and acute retinal explants
Neuroscience 2012 (SFN), New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, October 13-17, 2012.[105] Electrophysiological imaging of epileptic brain slices reveals pharmacologically confined functional changes
8th International Meeting on Substrate-Integrated Microelectrode Arrays (SIMEA), Reutlingen, Germany, July 10-13, 2012.[106] Organic electronics allows the photo-electric excitation and inhibition of neuronal activity in primary neuronal cultures and acute retinal explants
The 63rd National Congress of the Italian Physiological Society (SIF), Verona, Italy, September, 21-23, 2012.2011
[107] A hybrid bio-organic interface for neuronal photo-activation
Nearoscience 2011 (SFN), Washington, District of Columbia, USA, November 12-16, 2011.[108] The three-electrode device: A new frontier for the in utero electroporation
Neuroscience 2011 (SFN), Washington, District of Columbia, USA, November 12-16, 2011.[109] Validation of a high-density microelectrode array for acute brain slice recordings
Neuroscience 2011 (SFN), Washington, District of Columbia, USA, November 12-16, 2011.[110] A hybrid bio-organic interface for neuronal photoactivation
8th World Congress of Neuroscience (IBRO), Firenze, Italy, July 14-18, 2011.[111] Validation of a high-density microelectrode array for acute brain slice recordings
8th World Congress of Neuroscience (IBRO), Firenze, Italy, July 14-18, 2011.2010
[112] Pro-neurogenesis therapy rescues hippocampal-mediated learning and memory deficits in the ts65dn mouse model of Down syndrome
Neuroscience 2010 (SFN), San Diego, California, USA, October 13-17, 2010.[113] Sound-driven modulation of sub- and suprathreshold activity in mouse primary visual cortex
Neuroscience 2010 (SFN), San Diego, California, USA, October 13-17, 2010.[114] Targeted optogenetic stimulation to study the computational properties in neuronal ensembles recorded by multi-electrode devices
7th Forum of European NeuroScience (FENS), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, July 3-7, 2010.[115] Neurogenesis as therapeutic target to rescue hippocampal-mediated learning and memory deficits in a mouse model of Down syndrome
7th Forum of European NeuroScience (FENS), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, July 3-7, 2010.[116] Characterization of a mice model of human epilepsy with Multi-Electrode Arrays
7th International Meeting on Substrate-Integrated Micro Electrode Arrays (SIMEA), Reutlingen, Germany, June 29 - July 2, 2010.[117] New Approaches towards Organic Photodetection and Bio-Integration
20th International Conference on Science and Technology of Synthetic Metals (ICSM), Kyoto, Japan, July 4-9, 2010.[118] New Approaches towards Organic Photodetection and Bio-Integration
9th International Symposium on Functional pi-electron Systems (FPi9), Atlanta, Georgia, USA, May 23-28, 2010.[119] New Approaches towards Organic Photodetection and Bio-Integration
2th International Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics Conference (HOPV), Assisi, Italy, May 23-27, 2010.[120] Prototype of a novel MEA bioreactor measuring neural network activity continuously over long periods
The Monte Verità Workshop on the Frontiers in Neuroengineering, Ascona, Switzerland, September 5-9, 2010.2009
[121] A novel mea bioreactor measuring neural network activity continuously over long periods to study synaptic plasticity and pharmacological outcomes
Neuroscience 2009 (SFN), Chicago, Illinois, USA, October 17-21, 2009.2008
[122] The OptoMEA platform: a new tool combining local chemical stimulation with distributed multi-electrode array recordings
6th International Meeting on Substrate-Integrated Micro Electrode Arrays (SIMEA), Reutlingen, Germany, July 8-11, 2008.[123] Development of a new device to combine local optical stimulation and MEA recordings
Primo Congresso Nazionale di Bioingegneria (GNB), Pisa, Italy, July 3-5, 2008.2007
[124] OptoMEA: a new tool for combining local optical activation of compounds with distributed MEA recordings
Neuroscience 2007 (SFN), San Diego, California, USA, November 3-10, 2007.[125] A system for automatic on-line time detection and classification of neural spikes based on a digital signal processor and a FPGA controller
Neuroscience 2007 (SFN), San Diego, California, USA, November 3-10, 2007.2006
[126] PhotoMEA: A new optical biosensor for neuronal networks analysis
EPFL LATSIS Symposium 2006, Lausanne, Switzerland, March 8-10, 2006.Talks
2018
[127] Organic technology for neuroprosthetic vision
Invited Talk at Nature conference on flexible electronics, Xi’an, China, October 12-14, 2018.[128] Organic technology for neuroprosthetic vision
Invited talk at Asilomar Bioelectronics Symposium 2018, Pacific Grove, CA, USA, September 11-14, 2018.[129] Towards an injectable retinal prothesis
Invited talk at Montchoisi 3rd Annual Glaucoma Symposium, Lausanne, Switzerland, June 14, 2018.[130] Organic neuroprosthetics for vision restoration
Invited talk at Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia, February 9, 2018.[131] Organic neuroprosthetics for vision restoration
Invited talk at Institute de la vision, Paris, France, January 16, 2018 .[132] Organic neuroprosthetics for vision restoration
Invited Talk at Bionics Institute, Melbourne, Australia, Feb 9, 2018.[133] Organic neuroprosthetics for vision restoration
Invited talk at Swiss Medtech Day 2018 - Organised by the Swiss Society for Biomedical Engineering , Bern, Switzerland, June 12, 2018.[134] Validation of a Foldable and Photovoltaic Wide-Field Epiretinal Prosthesis
Invited Talk at The 13th Annual IEEE International Conference on Nano/Micro Engineered and Molecular Systems (IEEE NEMS 2018), Singapore, April 22-26, 2018.2017
[135] A Nerve-on-a-Chip Platform to Facilitate the Design of Peripheral Nerve Interfaces
2017 MRS Spring Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona, April 17-21, 2017.[136] MedPrint: Printed neural interfaces for neuroprosthetics
Invited talk at Wyss investigator’s symposium, Geneva, Switzerland, December 4, 2017.[137] Organic Neuroprosthetics For Vision Restoration
Invited Talk at Swiss ePrint – The Swiss Conference on Printed Electronics and Functional Materials, Basel, Switzerland, September 26-27, 2017.[138] Design and validation of a foldable and photovoltaic wide-field epiretinal prosthesis
2017 Artificial Vision Meeting, Aachen, Germany, December 1-2, 2017.[139] Design and validation of a foldable and photovoltaic wide-field retinal prosthesis
2017 MRS Fall Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, November 26-December 1, 2017.[140] Edible neuroprosthetic devices
2017 MRS Fall Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, November 26-December 1, 2017.[141] Preventing visual function loss in the rd10 mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa using gene editing
The European Retina Meeting 2017, Paris, France, October 5-7, 2017.[142] Injectable, self-opening, and freestanding retinal prosthesis for fighting blindness
13th International Conference on Organic Electronics (ICOE), St. Petersburg, Russia, June 4-8, 2017.2016
[143] Restoring sight with self-opening intraneural electrodes
Invited talk at Wyss investigator’s symposium, Geneva, Switzerland, December 13, 2016.[144] Organic Neuroprosthetics For Vision Restoration
Invited Talk at Biosensors and Bioelectronics Congress, London, UK, November 17-18, 2016.[145] Organic neuroprosthetics for vision restoration
Invited Talk at Graphene NOWNANO Summer Conference, Cheshire, UK, June 27-30, 2016.[146] Neuroprosthetics for vision restoration
17th CMi Annual Review Meeting, EPFL, Lausanne, CH, May 3, 2016.2015
[147] Optical Control of Cell Functions by Conjugated Polymers
15th International Conference on Nanotechnology (IEEE NANO 2015), Rome, Italy, July 27-30, 2015.[148] NeuroEngineering approaches applied to the restoration of sight
Invited Talk at EPFL SV Faculty Retreat 2015, Vevey, Switzerland, February 9, 2015.[149] Neuroengineering Approaches for Vision Restoration
Bertarelli Symposium on Translational Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, Geneva, Switzerland, April 17, 2015.[150] Neuroengineering approaches applied to the restoration of sight
Invited Talk at San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy, May 11, 2015.[151] Neuroengineering approaches applied to the restoration of sight
Invited talk at Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules Gonin, Lausanne, Switzerland, May 13, 2015.[152] Gene therapy and bioengineering for retinal diseases: what is the future?
Invited Talk at 12th ISOPT Clinical, Berlin, Germany, July 9-12, 2015.2014
[153] A polymer-based interface restores light sensitivity in blind rats
Annual Meeting of The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Orlando, Florida, USA, May 4-8, 2014.[154] Optical stimulation of neurons and optogenetics
Invited Talk at OLIMPIA-ITN Summer School, London, UK, January 22, 2014.[155] NeuroEngineering tools for the investigation and restoration of the visual sense
Invited Talk at Neuroservice, Aix-en-Provence, France, June 6, 2014.[156] NeuroEngineering approaches applied to the investigation of photoreceptor degeneration and to the restoration sight
Invited Talk at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland, June 26, 2014.[157] NeuroEngineering approaches applied to the restoration of sight
Invited seminar at Neuroservice, Aix-en-Provence, France, August 20, 2014.[158] A polymer-based interface restores light sensitivity in blind rats
Invited Talk at Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Leuven, Belgium, September 11, 2014.[159] Optogenetic strategies for vision restoration
Invited Talk at OLIMPIA-ITN Summer School, Sestri Levante, Italy, September 23, 2014.[160] A polymer-based interface restores light sensitivity in blind rats
MERIDIAN 30M Workshop, Brixen, Italy, September 25, 2014.[161] A polymer-based interface restores light sensitivity in blind rats
Invited Talk at Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain, October 1, 2014.2013
[162] The organic approach toward an artificial retina
12th European Conference on Molecular Electronics (ECME2013), London, UK, September 3-7, 2013.[163] Organic artificial photoreceptors to restore sight in blindness
Invited Talk at Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, Milano, Italy, May 24, 2013.2012
[164] High-Performance And Site-Directed In Utero Electroporation By A Triple-Electrode Probe
8th Forum of European NeuroScience (FENS), Barcelona, Spain, July 14-18, 2012.[165] A Hybrid Bio-Organic Interface For Neuronal Photo-Activation
8th Forum of European NeuroScience (FENS), Barcelona, Spain, July 14-18, 2012.[166] Organic electronics allows the photo-electric excitation and inhibition of neuronal activity in primary neuronal cultures and acute retinal explants
6th Annual Meeting of Young Researchers in Physiology (YRP), Sestri Levante, Italy, May 30 - June 1, 2012.2007
[167] A new optical tool to combine optical and electrical analysis in neuronal drug screening
5th Anniversary Congress of International Drug Discovery Science and Technology (IDDST), Shanghai, China, May 28 - June 5, 2007.2006
[168] PhotoMEA: a new optical biosensor for the study of the functional properties of neuronal networks
3rd International Congress of Nanotechnology (ICNT), San Francisco, California, USA, October 30 - November 2, 2006.[169] PhotoMEA: development of optical tools for the study of the functional properties of neuronal networks
Neuroscience 2006 (SFN), Atlanta, Georgia, USA, October 14-18, 2006.Patents
2020
[170] Insertion device for inserting deformable prosthesis into an eye
WO2020229683 (A1); EP3738556 (A1). 2020.2018
[171] Implantable electrode and method for manufacturing
US11621410 (B2); JP7025429 (B2); EP3551277 (B1); US2020091495 (A1); JP2020500660 (A); EP3551277 (A1); WO2018103828 (A1). 2018.[172] Polymer-based optoelectronic interface and methods for its manufacture
US11439822 (B2); EP3600525 (B1); JP6993006 (B2); US2021085973 (A1); JP2020515326 (A); EP3600525 (A1); WO2018177547 (A1). 2018.Research
Optic Nerve Stimulation
In the last decade, research on vision prosthetics has been focused primarily on retinal prostheses. However, optic nerve represents the preferred point of implantation in order to treat patients not eligible for retinal prostheses (e.g. optic nerve diseases). In our laboratory, we are developing a novel intraneural electrode array (named OpticSELINE) that is effective in inducing the activation of the visual cortex upon electrical stimulation of the optic nerve. The OpticSELINE induces selective cortical activation patterns depending on the stimulating electrode, thus suggesting that it possesses spatial selectivity in fiber stimulation.
Retinal Prosthesis
Inspired by intraocular lenses, we have designed a foldable and photovoltaic wide-field epiretinal prosthesis (named POLYRETINA) capable of stimulating wireless retinal ganglion cells. Within a visual angle of 46.3 degrees, POLYRETINA embeds more than 6000 stimulating pixels, it is foldable to allow implantation through a small scleral incision, and it has a hemispherical shape to match the curvature of the eye. We demonstrate that it is not cytotoxic and respects optical and thermal safety standards; accelerated aging shows a lifetime of at least 2 years. POLYRETINA represents a significant progress towards the improvement of both visual acuity and visual field with the same device, a current challenging issue in the field.