4G: Biomaterials for Neural Engineering 1

Engineered biomaterials are a centerpiece of new therapeutic approaches to treat neural injury as systems to deliver molecular and cell-based therapies to regenerate neural circuits or as components in closed-loop neurotechnologies. Biomaterials innovations that can improve the delivery of small molecules, biologics or cells to neural tissue, direct neuronal functional states, guide neural circuity connectivity, and improve neural cell interactions with devices hold the key to realizing new effective therapies. Furthermore, engineered biomaterials are uniquely positioned for use in creating, testing, and regenerating neural tissue with applications like in vitro models of injury and disease, brain organoid models, tissue engineering, therapeutic treatments, understanding neural development, and mapping the brain. This session will focus on cutting edge research in neural biomaterials including fundamental materials development work through pre-clinical and clinical studies. These include big questions surrounding understanding and treating neurological diseases and injuries of the peripheral and central nervous systems as well as drug, biologic, and cellular therapy delivery and neural interfacing. This session will be of significant interest to industry, academia, and clinical groups working in a broad array of neural engineering fields.

Moderators:

Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert
Professor and Vice Dean of Research and Graduate Education
College of Engineering & UW Medicine
University of Washington

Sarah Stabenfeldt, Ph.D
Knowledge Enterprise Fellow and President's Professor
School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering
Arizona State University

Kyle Lampe
Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering
University of Virginia