The research of NEE includes the development of various neural interface systems connecting with the brain or the individual neurons. We are applying state-of-the-art technologies of electronics, optics, and acoustics to various neuroscience studies and development of neuroprosthetic devices.

 Our research goals fall into the following areas:

 1.  Technologies for neural modulation and monitoring (뇌신경 기록 및 조절 기술 개발)

   This aims to monitor the activity of neurons and to control the activity of neurons using a variety of means such as electrical, optical, and acoustic methods. Electrical neural recording or stimulation is the most typical methods in neuroscience and neural engineering field. Recently, new modalities are being introduced including optogenetics, ultrasound, optics, and magnetic field.

 2.    Neural circuits in the brain (뇌신경회로 연구) 

   All the behaviors of living creatures are governed by the signaling within nerve systems. Even though the neural pathways have been studied by a number of scientists, most neural pathways are still needed to be clarified.  It includes the sensory and motor pathways from peripheral nerves to the brain and the various pathways related to the neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, chronic pain, depression, and so on.

3.    Neural interface system (뇌신경 인터페이스 시스템 개발)

   From the aspects of both engineering and science, the development of a novel neural interface system is very crucial because it can be applied not only to the neuroscience studies but also to the neural prosthetic systems. Neural prosthetic systems are the devices which can restore the functions of injured nerve system. For example, cochlear implant and artificial retina have been developed to help the people with profound hearing and vision loss, respectively. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) system has been also implanted to the patient to treat motor disorders like Parkinson’s disease, essential trauma, dystonia, etc. 

Research Grants

• Project title: Optogenetic neural probe and sleep control non-invasive wearable neuromodulation system (광유전 신경프로브 및 수면제어 비침습적 웨어러블 신경조절시스템 개발)

• Project term:  2019.04~2023.12

• Role: Co-Principal Investigator

• Convergent Technology R&D Program for Human Augmentation through the National Research Foundation of Korea 

• NRF-2019M3C1B8090805 

• Project title: Artificial Retina for vision restoration (시력복원용 인공망막 장치 개발)

• Project term:  2020~2023

• Role: Co-Principal Investigator

• Korea Medical Device Development Fund grant funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea  

• 1711139110, KMDF_PR_20210527_0006 

• Project title: Wireless and batteryless electroceutical closed-loop multichannel microsystem for neruopathic pain control (신경병증성 통증 치료를 위한 초소형 무선-무전원 폐루프 기반 이식형 다채널 마이크로시스템의 개발)

• Project term:  2019.09~2022.02

• Role: Principal Investigator

• Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation

• NRF-2019R1A2C1088909 

• Project title: Development of early prediction system for aging-related decline in language processing using EEG based dynamic neuroimaging (뇌파기반 동적신경영상을 이용한 노화에 따른 언어처리손상 조기예측 시스템 개발)

• Project term:  2017.03~2020.02

• Role: Co-Principal Investigator

• Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation

• NRF-2017R1A2B4006604 

• Project title: Peripheral nerve regeneration based on in vitro culture platform and packaging (생체외 환경 플랫폼을 통한 말초신경 재생기술 개발 및 패키징 개발)

• Project term:  2017.03~2020.10

• Role: Principal Investigator

• the convergence technology development program for bionic arm through the National Research Foundation of Korea 

• No.2017M3C1B2085310 

• Project title: Point-of-care testing kit for the differential diagnosis of subtropical infectious diseases based on aptamer technology (압타머 기반 아열대성 감염병 감별진단 현장현시진단키트 개발)

• Project term:  2016.12~2019.12

• Role: Co-Principal Investigator

• the convergence technology development program for bionic arm through the National Research Foundation of Korea 

• No.2017M3C1B2085310 

• Project title: Development of language artificial intelligence for early detection of age-related decline in language processing (노화에 따른 언어처리손상 조기진단을 위한 언어 인공지능 모델 연구)

• Project term:  2016.09~2017.08

• Role: Co-Principal Investigator

• the convergence technology development program for bionic arm through the National Research Foundation of Korea 

• No.2017M3C1B2085310 

• Project title: Axonal-resolution neuro-interface based on the optically reconfigurable electrode array (광학재구성 전극어레이 기반 축색돌기수준 해상도의 신경망 인터페이스 시스템)

• Project term:  2016.06~2018.10

• Role: Co-Principal Investigator

• Samsung Electronics

• Project title: Brain Function Mapping of Neuroglia using optogenetics (광유전학을 이용한 신경교세포 뇌기능 맵핑)

• Project term:  2016.12~2018.11

• Role: Co-Principal Investigator

• Samsung Science & Technology Foundation 

• Project title: Smart Brain Sensor Network (스마트 브레인 센서 네트워크)

• Project term:  2015.09~2020.10

• Role: Principal Investigator

• the Center for Integrated Smart Sensors funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning as Global Frontier Project

• CISS-2012M3A6A054204 

• Project title: In-vivo multichannel optical neural recording system (생체 내 환경에서의 광학적 다채널 신경신호 측정시스템의 개발 및 응용)

• Project term:  2014.05~2017.04

• Role: Principal Investigator

• Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation 

• NRF-2014R1A1A1A05003770

• Project title: Development of LCP-based multichannel electrode arrays for neural recording and stimulation (신경신호 기록 및 자극을 위한 액정폴리머 기반의 다채널 전극 어레이의 개발)

• Project term:  2011.09~2015.08

• Role: Principal Investigator

• the Center for Integrated Smart Sensors funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning as Global Frontier Project

• Project title: Optimized fiber-optic system for long-term in vivo neural recording (생체 내 환경에서 신경세포의 활동을 장기간 측정하기 위한 최적화된 광파이버 시스템의 개발)

• Project term:  2011.05~2014.04

• Role: Principal Investigator

• Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation