New technologies and the study of model organisms, to explore tissue repair in humans
What if it were possible to design technologies that could regenerate damaged tissues in the body? We are developing new devices and studying model animals that can regrow parts of their bodies in ways that humans can’t, and devising systems and technologies that together will inform potential treatments for neural regeneration and repair.
Neural Sensing and Actuation
Microscopes the size of a single silicon chip, ultra-flexible nerve implants, magnetic fields in place of wires
Rice Neuroengineers research how bioelectric, magnetic, ultrasonic, and/or chemical structures can be utilized to power devices that can create an interface for sending and receiving signal data that enables accurate measurement and manipulation of activity in the nervous system.
Data-driven Discovery of Neural Circuits & Behavior
Learning and making predictions from the data we collect
The data our devices generate has tremendous potential beyond its face value; we process it to test and discover new algorithms and theories that take us further into our understanding of the brain and inform new experiments.
Closed-Loop Neuroscience & Neurotechnology
Designing systems for sensing and controlling neural circuits
Using an array of cutting edge devices and innovative materials, Rice NEI is working at the forefront in the development of control systems that can drive desired behaviors in the brain to teach us about neural function; the learnings are applied to development of improved therapies and new therapeutic devices.