Center for (CNT) University of Washington (lead institution)

Improving health and function by neural devices

Vision and Mission Goals The Center for Neurotechnology's transforma- • Promote the development of technologies tional vision is to revolutionize the treatment that assist people with neurological disor- A National of , stroke, and other debili- ders Science Foundation tating neurological conditions by discovering • Promote global neural engineering re- Engineering Research and applying principles of engineered neuro- search through partnerships with interna- Center plasticity. tional institutes since 2011 Engineered is a new form of • Develop lesson plans, courses and degree rehabilitation that uses engineered devices to programs (K-12, undergraduate, graduate) restore lost or injured connections in the that support advancements in the interdis- brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the nerv- ciplinary domain of neural engineering ous system. • Promote commercialization and small busi- The Center's mission is to develop innovative ness startup activities neural devices and methods for directing engi- • Increase diversity in research and industry Partner Institutions: neered neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal in the U.S. with a focus on the emerging cord. This will assist, improve, and restore domain of neural engineering • Massachusetts Institute sensory and motor function for people with of Technology spinal cord injury, stroke, and other neurologi- Research cal disorders. The center's research mission is being accom- • San Diego State plished with four core engineering thrusts: University 1. The Experimental thrust un- covers principles of engineered neuroplas- ticity in animal models and humans. 2. The Computational Neuroscience thrust aims to better understand dynamics and develop co-adaptive mathe- matical algorithms for inducing neuroplas- ticity in the brain and spinal cord. 3. The Communication and Interfacethrust designs and develops hardware enhance- ments for the Center's research platforms, as well as multifunctional electrodes for engineering neuroplasticity in the brain and spinal cord. 4. The thrust studies how ethical issues such as identity, privacy, safety, au- thority, and moral or legal responsibility are intertwined with neurotechnology.

An engineered neural device runs mathematical algorithms (top), which control delivery of electri- cal stimulation to targeted in the brain (middle). This targeted electrical stimulation changes the strength of synaptic connections in the brain, resulting in improved health and function after a brain or spinal cord injury. The Center focuses on three testbeds which evaluate the applicability of Center- developed technologies for helping people with neurological conditions, as well as test and validate the Center's vision of engi- neered neuroplasticity. These technologies are adaptive, closed-loop, and tailored spe- cifically to the individual. Safety, security, autonomy, and ethical considerations are paramount. 1. Cortical plasticity testbed: The goal of this testbed is to engineer neuroplastici- ty in the brain, improving the brain's ability to heal and recover after injury. It is targeted toward people with neurolog- ical disorders such as stroke. In this testbed, researchers test the ability of neural stimulation protocols to induce activity-dependent neuroplasticity by Education remodeling neural connections between The Center develops courses, lab experi- serve students with disabilities and also by cortical regions in the brain. ences, cross-disciplinary degree programs, actively recruiting participants from histori- cally underrepresented groups—including 2. Spinal plasticity testbed: In this testbed, and partnerships to train the next genera- women, minorities, and individuals with researchers test the ability to engineer tion of neural engineers to create cutting- disabilities—for Research Experiences for neuroplasticity within the spinal cord edge . For example, stu- Undergraduates (REU), Teachers (RET), and after injury. For example, researchers dents in the Neural Engineering Tech Studio Veterans (REV) programs. The Center also use electrical spinal stimulation synchro- course work through all stages of the de- runs a post-baccalaureate program to pro- nized with residual muscle activity or vice development process, from idea gener- vide support for college graduates who are movement to produce lasting improve- ation to the possibility of technology trans- interested in neural engineering and pursu- ments in hand and arm function after fer and commercialization. ing graduate studies. The Center helps spinal cord injury. Center students host a neural engineering hackathon involving students from the Uni- place post-bac students in a lab, so they can 3. Co-adaptation testbed: This testbed gain more research experience, and pro- focuses on understanding and develop- versity of Washington (UW), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and San Die- vides financial support for them in a transi- ing mathematical algorithms designed to tion year. help a brain-computer interface co-adapt go State University (SDSU). The hackathon with the brain itself in a neural stimula- encourages camaraderie among the part- Education partners include Morehouse Col- tion system. An example of work in this ner institutions and also allows students to lege and Spelman College—historically testbed is to quantify large-scale cortical be innovative and creative in the neural black colleges in Atlanta—and Southwest- dynamics during learning and neuroplas- engineering realm. ern College in San Diego—where a high ticity induction, as well as changes in The Center is expanding and diversifying number of Hispanic students are enrolled. cortical dynamics that occur when users the pipeline of students prepared for col- International partners in research and edu- directly control brain stimulation using lege and advanced degrees in neural engi- cation are the University of British Colum- their thoughts. neering by working with programs that bia in Vancouver, B.C., and the BrainLinks- BrainTools program at the University of Freiburg in Germany. Center staff and faculty develop new lesson plans and education programs to increase awareness about neural engineering from a research perspective and as a career op- tion. Materials developed are shared among partner institutions and are posted on the Center’s website. At the UW, under- graduate students can minor in and gradu- ate students can receive a certificate in Neural Computation and Engineering. The Center has created a seminar series— featuring national and international lead- ers—to highlight neural engineering re- search. The Center also leads or is involved in formal and informal science education events and activities. The Center hosts school visits from precollege students at the Center for Neurotechnology headquar- ters, and Center staff, faculty and students visit classrooms and schools. The Center also participates in national and local sci- ence fairs and museum events. Innovation Ecosystem Center for Neurotechnology researchers work with large and small companies—and start-ups—to develop neural engineering technologies for medical devices and con- sumer electronics applications. The Center works with industry partners to ensure that technologies developed by center research- ers are on-point with what people need. The Center fosters the translation of prom- ising innovations created by Center re- searchers and students into prototypes and Although the Center draws upon existing Center Headquarters products that will help people. infrastructure in laboratories and facilities Center for Neurotechnology Through the Industry Affiliate Program, the distributed across all partner institutions, University of Washington Center engages member companies to sup- the headquarters has significant open 1414 NE 42nd Street, Suite 204 port technology transfer and commerciali- space for hands-on demonstration, explora- Seattle, WA 98105-6271 zation efforts. The Center also provides tion, and to accommodate start-ups. This Phone: 206-685-8915 industry-relevant training opportunities for space provides a physical portal between www.centerforneurotech.org faculty and graduate student researchers. the Center’s research activities and its edu- cational and commercial interests. In addi- Co-Director, PI: Rajesh Rao, Ph.D. tion, the open space serves as an exhibit (206) 685-9141 • [email protected] space for visiting –K 12 students and teach- Co-Director: Chet Moritz, Ph.D. ers. Almost all of the Center’s equipment (206) 221-2842 • [email protected] and furniture is on wheels, offering flexibil- Deputy Director, SDSU: Sam Kassegne, Ph.D. ity in the space. For example, the Center (619) 594-8660 • [email protected] can reconfigure its open space to host an- Deputy Director, MIT: Polina Anikeeva, Ph.D. nual meetings, poster presentations for (617) 253-3301 • [email protected] research conferences, and school events. All central facilities were designed with the Executive and Education Director: assistance of students with disabilities to Eric Chudler, Ph.D. ensure an open and accessible environment (206) 616-6899 • [email protected] Facilities for all. Administrative Director: James Oliphant The Center for Neurotechnology is head- (206) 221-7760 • [email protected] quartered on the UW Seattle campus, with- Center Configuration, Leadership, Industry Liaison Officer: Scott Ransom, Ph.D. in reach of all key programs and depart- Team Structure (360) 540-5561 • [email protected] ments. The Center has dedicated space for Center for Neurotechnology leaders devel- Communications Director: Wayne Gillam administrative staff and areas to host vis- op and implement the Center’s strategic (206) 221-7595 • [email protected] iting faculty and students from core partner plans and oversee research at all three in- and affiliated institutions, industry mem- stitutions. This team includes the director, bers, and for student-faculty interactions. three deputy directors (one at each core The headquarters includes a conference institution), thrust leaders, executive direc- space that comfortably seats 60 people for tor, administrative director, education di- seminars, advisory board meetings, Center rectors, precollege and university education research group meetings, and educational managers, industry liaison officer, diversity outreach. An additional 1,500 sq. ft. has director, diversity manager, and communi- been created at the SDSU campus, which cations director. The Center receives guid- houses shared conference and administra- ance from a Scientific Advisory Board, Prac- tive space. All three CNT core institutions— titioner and End Users Board, Industrial UW, MIT, and SDSU—have an array of Advisory Board, Deans Council, and the shared laboratories ranging from fabrica- Student Leadership Council. tion and machining facilities to motion- capture systems.