Most of the Human Brain Remains Inaccessible
Large portions of the living human brain are difficult to observe and modulate with current technologies. Safer, noninvasive, or minimally invasive methods are needed to capture real-time brain state information.
One funding program dedicated to making advancements in this space is that of ARIA (UK science R&D agency), which launched the Scalable Neural Interfaces opportunity space to support a new suite of tools to interface with the human brain at scale.
Foundational Capabilities (8)
Use noninvasive modalities—such as ambient field magnetoencephalography
(MEG) with quantum gradiometers, sono–magnetic tomography, optical
interference methods, and ultrasound modulated optical tomography—to record
and modulate brain activity without surgery.
Harmless nanoscale transducers to record or modulate brain activity that
can be delivered minimally invasively.
Technologies to control gene expression in single neurons post-transplantation. Light-based or acoustic methods could offer precision for neuro-activation to enable axonal guidance and integration and enable cellular transplantation for neuroregeneration, circuitry reconstruction etc.
Use peripheral sampling methods to indirectly monitor brain molecular
biomarkers. One approach involves using ultrasound to transiently open the
blood–brain barrier, releasing engineered protein markers into the
bloodstream for detection.
Develop a minimally invasive ultrasound-based platform that can interface
programmably with the whole human brain. This approach leverages ultrasound’s
ability to penetrate deep tissues, offering scalable imaging and modulation
with minimal invasiveness.
Develop techniques for spatial multiplexing of dynamic signals in live
cells, capturing real-time changes and molecular ticker-tapes that record
cellular events over time.
Access brain fluids through much tinier holes than currently possible to facilitate less invasive delivery of drugs or devices to intracranial or intraventricular spaces.