Innovations in Continuous Physiological Monitoring: Advancing Biosensors with On-Demand Reversibility and Scalable Neurochemical Arrays

Next BIU Engineering Colloquium,
Dr. Nofar Hemed, Tue, 09.01.24 @14:00

BIU Engineering Building 1103, Room 329
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89054217700

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We are delighted to host

Dr. Nofar Hemed

Postdoc, Materials Sci & Engineering

Stanford University

Dr. Hemed will give a talk on the subject:

Innovations in Continuous Physiological Monitoring: 

Advancing Biosensors with On-Demand Reversibility and Scalable Neurochemical Arrays

Abstract

Providing continuous, real-time insights into an individual's clinically relevant biomarkers has immense promise in revolutionizing healthcare, as it enables early detection of deviations from normal bodily functions, facilitating timely intervention and personalized treatment plans. Recent advancements in materials engineering and biosensor technology have paved the way for significant progress in the field of in-vivo physiological monitoring. However, as we navigate through this developing field, there is a pressing need to tackle critical challenges, including the enhancement of stability, sensitivity, and reversibility. These requirements are essential for unlocking the potential of these innovative technologies in widespread applications. In this seminar, I will delve into the various sensing requirements and technological approaches needed to achieve reliable and accurate monitoring of complex physiological signals within living organisms. Discussions will center on sensor design and performance. I will present the development of electrochemical biosensors based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology, focusing on overcoming the critical aspects of the sensitivity-reversibility tradeoff. This breakthrough has enabled practical implications of these biosensors in the realm of neurochemistry. I will demonstrate an ultra-sensitive MIP-based melatonin microwire sensor designed to track circadian rhythms and aid in the amelioration of jet lag among warfighters. Next, I will present a highly scalable microwire array engineered to facilitate the precise and realtime monitoring of dopamine release with unparalleled spatiotemporal resolution. Building upon this foundation, my future research vision seeks to develop a novel closed-loop stim-sense array of Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) platform, integrating two types for multifunctional neuroengineering applications: one for precise neural stimulation and the other, incorporating Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP), as an advanced neurochemical sensor, enabling bidirectional communication with neural networks and promising advancements in personalized neuromodulation and neurochemical monitoring. 

Short Bio: Nofar Mintz Hemed is a Schmidt Futures Postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University. She earned her B.Sc in Biophysics from Bar-Ilan University and her M.S and Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering from Tel-Aviv University under the guidance of Prof. Yosi Shacham-Diamand. Nofar’s research integrates micro and nano technologies and electrochemistry with fundamental experimental characterization to advance biosensor development to further our understanding of biological problems. In Prof. Nicholas Melosh's group at Stanford University, Nofar is currently engineering an array of biosensors integrated with a molecularly selective membrane, emphasizing reversibility mechanisms for continuous monitoring.