Nano-Bio Interfaces

The Park group is also developing new nanoscale tools for interrogating living cells and cell networks. We pioneered the use of nanoneedles as a tool to deliver diverse biological effectors into living cells and have been applying it to interrogate intracellular circuits that dictate the functions of primary immune cells. Using the same nanoneedles, we also developed a highly scalable CMOS-based platform for recording and stimulating real-time dynamics of complex neuronal ensembles, and we are now actively using the tool to study the inner workings of the brain. In addition, we developed a pipeline for single-cell transcriptomics that is applicable to a broad range of cell types, and have used it to study the cell-to-cell variability of immune, cancer, and neuron cells.

Mammalian Neuronal Network on a CNEA

Scanning electron microscope image of rat cortical neurons on top of a CMOS-nanoelectrode array (CNEA).

Multi-parametric Functional Imaging of Living Cells

Field-based impedance mapping and electrochemical mapping/patterning using a CMOS-microelectrode array

Copying and Pasting the Brain

By “copying” the functional synaptic connectivity map of a mammalian neuronal network and “paste” it onto a high-density three-dimensional network of solid-state memories, we might be able to create silicon integrated circuits that better approximate computing traits of the brain.

Action Potential Propagation

Action potential propagation imaged by a CMOS nanoelectrode array in the extracellular recording mode

Immune Cells on Nanoneedles

Scanning electron micrograph of primary T cells cultured on silicon nanoneedles.

Neuron on a CNEA Pixel

Scanning electron microscope image of a neuron on top of a CMOS-nanoelectrode array (CNEA) pixel.

Second Generation CNEA

Optical microscope images of the second generation CMOS-nanoelectrode array

Single-Cell RNA-Seq

Time-course single-cell gene expression profiles of immune dendritic cells.

Regulatory Network for Th17-Cell Differentiation

Two coupled and opposing modules that control Th17 cell pathogenicity

Cardiomyocyte Tissue on a CNEA

Scanning electron microscope image of a cardiomyocyte sheet on top of the CMOS-nanoelectrode array (CNEA).

Cancer Cells on Nanoneedles

Scanning electron micrograph of B cells from a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient on silicon nanoneedles.

Nano-Bio Interfaces

Quantum Optoelectronics | Quantum Sensing/Control