B.I.O.N.I.C. Lab

Bio-Integrating Optoelectric Neural Interface Cybernetics Lab (PI: Takashi D.Y. Kozai)Integrating Innovation over Imagination @ University of Pittsburgh, Department of Bioengineering"Engineering Brain Healing"
We are a collaborative team of engineering scientists pioneering the frontier at the intersection of neurophysiology, neural interface technology, and preclinical research, with a strong emphasis on reverse and pre-clinical translation to bridge fundamental science and clinical applications. 

Our lab focuses on three key questions :

1) How do neural implants interact with the brain over time?

 - We study how brain cells respond to implants, what affects their long-term stability, and how we can improve their performance.

 - This includes looking at cellular responses, brain metabolism, blood flow, and how implants impact brain health over time.

2) How can stimulation help repair the brain and slow disease?

 - We explore how different types of stimulation—electrical, ultrasound, light-based, and drugs—affect neurons, glial cells, and inflammation.

 - Our goal is to use these techniques to treat brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.

3) How do support cells and blood vessels shape brain function and neurocomputation?

 - Beyond neurons, glial cells and blood vessels play a huge role in brain activity and healing.

 - We use advanced imaging and data analysis to understand their role in brain health, learning, and recovery after injury.


Specifically, we employ functional in vivo two-photon imaging, functional in vivo electrophysiology (primarily in visual and somatosensory cortex), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, post-mortem immunohistochemistry, intrinsic imaging, cyclic voltammetry, transgenic & AAV, silicon & carbon microelectrodes, polymer devices, 'electrical, ultrasound, optical, and drug-based' stimulation techniques, and biological and pharmaceutical intervention strategies. (see details)
This unique research facility is focused on developing trainees to blend high-quality hypothesis-driven scientific inquiry and problem solving engineering design skills. Aside from technical training, this lab’s structure is aimed at refining individual’s critical thinking skills and project management skills and prepares next-generation leaders in Neural Engineering and fusing Science & Engineering.
Bionics is the application of biological methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology. Our goal is to understand molecular, cellular, and structural biology, so that we can leverage these natural tools to engineer microscale neural interface technologies, as well as forward translate intervention strategies for brain injury and disease.