Awards & Honors
Regeneron Prize for Creative Innovation Finalist
Travel Prize for Outstanding Research Achievement
Simmons Awards
Poster Contest First Place Winner
Outstanding Graduate
Outstanding Graduate
Chemistry Star
Chun-Tsung Scholar
National Scholarship
First Prize
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (2020)
Harvard University Chemistry and Chemical Biology (2019)
Harvard University (2019, 2018, 2017)
Harvard University Center for Nanoscale Systems (2018)
Beijing Municipal Commission of Education (2015)
Peking University (2015)
Peking University (2015)
China Center of Advanced Science and Technology (2014)
Ministry of Education of China (2014)
Chinese Chemistry Olympiad (2010)
Awards & Honors
Regeneron Prize for Creative Innovation Finalist
Travel Prize for Outstanding Research Achievement
Simmons Awards
Poster Contest First Place Winner
Outstanding Graduate
Outstanding Graduate
Chemistry Star
Chun-Tsung Scholar
National Scholarship
First Prize
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (2020)
Harvard University Chemistry and Chemical Biology (2019)
Harvard University (2019, 2018, 2017)
Harvard University Center for Nanoscale Systems (2018)
Beijing Municipal Commission of Education (2015)
Peking University (2015)
Peking University (2015)
China Center of Advanced Science and Technology (2014)
Ministry of Education of China (2014)
Chinese Chemistry Olympiad (2010)
Awards & Honors
Regeneron Prize for Creative Innovation Finalist
Travel Prize for Outstanding Research Achievement
Simmons Awards
Poster Contest First Place Winner
Outstanding Graduate
Outstanding Graduate
Chemistry Star
Chun-Tsung Scholar
National Scholarship
First Prize
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (2020)
Harvard University Chemistry and Chemical Biology (2019)
Harvard University (2019, 2018, 2017)
Harvard University Center for Nanoscale Systems (2018)
Beijing Municipal Commission of Education (2015)
Peking University (2015)
Peking University (2015)
China Center of Advanced Science and Technology (2014)
Ministry of Education of China (2014)
Chinese Chemistry Olympiad (2010)
Research
As an important application of functional biomaterials, neural probes have contributed substantially to studying the brain. Previous generations of neural probes have had structural and mechanical dissimilarities from their neuron targets that lead to neuronal loss, neuroinflammatory responses, and measurement instabilities.
We develop a bioinspired design for neural probes—neuron-like electronics (NeuE)—where the key building blocks mimic the subcellular structural features and mechanical properties of neurons. Full three-dimensional mapping of implanted NeuE–brain interfaces highlights the structural indistinguishability and intimate interpenetration of NeuE and neurons. Time-dependent histology and electrophysiology studies further reveal a structurally and functionally stable interface with the neuronal and glial networks shortly following implantation, thus opening opportunities for next-generation brain-machine interfaces. Finally, the NeuE subcellular structural features are shown to facilitate the migration of endogenous neural progenitor cells, thus holding promise as an electrically active platform for transplantation-free regenerative medicine.
Publications
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X. Yang†, C. Forró†, T.L. Li, Y. Miura, T.J. Zaluska, C.-T. Tsai, S. Kanton, J.P. McQueen, X. Chen, V. Mollo, F. Santoro, S.P. Pașca* and B. Cui*. Kirigami electronics for long-term electrophysiological recording of human neural organoids and assembloids. Nat. Biotechnol. s41587-023-02081-3 (2024).
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X. Yang†*, Y. Qi†, C. Wang, T.J. Zwang, N.J. Rommelfanger, G. Hong* and C.M. Lieber*. Laminin-coated electronic scaffolds with vascular topography for tracking and promoting the migration of brain cells after injury. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 7, 1282–1292 (2023).
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This work is highlighted by news articles and media including Science, Nature Materials News & Views, National Institutes of Health, The Scientist, Chemical & Engineering News, MedicalXpress, Biomedical Picture of the Day and The Harvard Gazette.
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X. Yang, E. McGlynn, R. Das, S.P. Paşca, B. Cui*, H. Heidari*. Nanotechnology enables novel modalities for neuromodulation. Adv. Mater. 33, 2103208 (2021).
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T.L. Li, Y. Liu, C. Forro, X. Yang, L. Beker, Z. Bao, B. Cui*, S.P. Pașca*. Stretchable mesh microelectronics for the biointegration and stimulation of human neural organoids. Biomaterials 290, 121825 (2022).
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O. Revah, F. Gore, K.W. Kelley, J. Andersen, N. Sakai, X. Chen, M.-Y. Li, F. Birey, X. Yang, N.L. Saw, S.W. Baker, N.D. Amin, S. Kulkarni, R. Mudipalli, B. Cui, S. Nishino, G.A. Grant, J. K. Knowles, M. Shamloo, J.R. Huguenard, K. Deisseroth, S.P. Pașca*. Maturation and circuit integration of transplanted human cortical organoids. Nature 610, 319–326 (2022).
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Y. Fang*, X. Yang, Y. Lin, J. Shi, A. Prominski, C. Clayton, E. Ostroff, B. Tian*. Dissecting biological and synthetic soft–hard interfaces for tissue-like systems. Chem. Rev. 122, 5233–5276 (2021).
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C.M. Lieber, N. Gao, W. Zhou, X. Jiang, T. Gao and X. Yang. Nanoscale wires with external layers for sensors and other applications. US Patent Application Number: 15/563,773. Filed: Apr 1, 2016. Publication Date: Mar 29, 2018.
Presentations
Materials Research Society Fall Meeting Dec 2019
Oral: Bioinspired neuron-like electronics for minimally invasive brain probes.
Harvard University ChemTalks May 2019
Oral: Bioinspired neuron-like electronics for minimally invasive brain probes.
Center for Nanoscale Systems Open House Oct 2018
Poster: Bioinspired neuron-like electronics for noninvasive brain probes.
Gordon Research Conference on Neurobiology of Cognition July 2018
Poster: Neuron-like electronics for interrogation of brain electrophysiology in the natural state.
Simmons Symposium June 2018
Oral: Bioinspired neuron-like electronics.
Center for Brain Science Retreat May 2018
Poster: Bioinspired neuron-like electronics.
Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting Apr 2018
Poster: Three-dimensional mapping of neuron-like mesh electronics/brain interfaces.
Simmons Symposium June 2017
Poster: Three-dimensional mapping of mesh electronics/brain interface.