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