Author: Ali Mallakin My current research objectives are to develop a technology that would remove the communication latency between the ...
Author: Ali Mallakin
My current research objectives are to develop a technology that would remove the communication latency between the mind and the body and can be used for telepathic or extrasensory communication. There is a period between the thought and a physical movement that requires interaction with the external world. Therefore, the idea is if we can communicate from the brain to the external world without any physical exertion then we could have much faster communication with external devices and even other individuals. Working in the area of neural interface systems (NISs) may provide a communication pathway between an enhanced or implanted brain and external devices or even other individuals. Most of NISs depend on sensing of neural activity to provide a signal to control computers, machinery, or any device that may range from physical to biological elements.
Most importantly, the study of neural interface Systems (NISs) may offer solutions to restore the loss of mobility and manage nervous system function in paralyzed patients. NIS that connects the nervous system to a device may either stimulate tissue, record a neural activity or attain both. The NIS device can either be directly in contact with the neural tissue or remotely controlled from outside of the body. NIS may include a computer for signal or stimulus delivery and a user interface. In this case stimulation provides sensory signals or could be used to control neural function. Whereas recordings can be used to provide commands that can be used as a control signal to provide function. Advances in different pure and applied sciences have accelerated the development of different range of NISs that can access various biological elements or physical devices. The use of NISs that can provide electrical stimulations has broad clinical applications. For example, many people have received implants to restore their hearing ability and many others have received deep brain stimulators to treat the symptoms of their movement or mobility disorders. Nevertheless, the use of NISs to read out neural activity still is at an earlier stage of its development. There is also considerable interest in using a sensory NISs to provide a foundation of command signal for a system that can reinstate or provide communication, or control abilities following incapacitating injuries.
Investigation of systems that can help communication among humans is continuously emerging, which includes the study of neural interface systems (NISs). This development has been demonstrated by an increase in the number of related journal publications and conference presentations. NISs may allow the possibility of liberation from our bodies’ limitations by making a direct interaction between the brain and the outside physical or metaphysical domains. Not only NIS research may offer the possibility of future telepathic or extrasensory communication but also may help people with severe neuronal disabilities to better interact with their surroundings, which can improve their quality of life. This emerging area of research can also provide more scientific knowledge concerning nervous system function. Study the relations between the nervous system and the external world either by stimulating or by recording from neural tissue can be quite useful in treating or assisting people with debilities of neural function. Although electric stimulations have extensive clinical applications, neural interfaces that record neural signals to interpret one’s intentions are just beginning to develop into viable schemes. Neural research can enhance our understanding of brain function by offering more insights into neural coding, brain plasticity, and neuroscience.
The field of NISs is quite inclusive and can comprise many different types of connections between the brain and the external world that may go beyond the natural interfaces provided by the sensory and motor systems. NISs research adds to our understanding of the functional properties of the brain and it may institute a fundamental framework in neuroscience. The NIS model has become a standard step for evaluating encoding models that relate movement features to neuronal responses. Recent approaches to study encoding have inspired the development of decoding models that provide information available from an instantaneously active group of neurons.
My interest in NIS paradigm has been inspired by a desire to create devices or methods to establish telepathic communication. The study can also offer a unique framework for studying basic scientific problems in programming, interpreting, representation, and plasticity in neuronal ensembles. This field may further expand our understanding of how large groups of neurons compute, adapt, and interact with the outside world. Current and future challenges can address useful methods that can also be used for patients’ care.
Still, many important technical problems need to be solved as NISs is becoming a more useful technology. For example, since yet no inclusive recording array has been tested to record the action potentials from multiple neurons in prolonged study. Lack of recordings associated with multifaceted connectors and defective insulating materials in implants still are problems that need to be addressed. Ongoing testing of improved versions of sensors will be essential in order to achieve the long-term viability of implants. Another important technical challenge is the creation of an implantable system that can provide high-bandwidth information. Improvements in the neural interface itself may also improve the dependability, stability, and richness of neural signals. Different investigators have already taken steps toward many of these goals. Several research groups have been already working on fully implantable, active sensors that provide self-powering and high bandwidth signal transmission. The development of intracortical neural interface systems (iNISs) with signal amplification and processing contained in a subcutaneous microscale device that can transmit wirelessly has already been tested. Implantable fiber optic in form of iNIS is another advance that can improve the operation and signal transmission. Developments in modern electronics make it possible to reduce the current size of signal processing hardware to small and transportable components. These initial successes of the iNIS, and its potential have encouraged many investigators to further pursuing their engineering improvements.
NISs is a very complex technology that requires a stable interface between man-made devices and dynamic biological systems, therefore, setbacks in their development can be expected. There is always a possibility that an electronic device breaks or materials degrade, despite many efforts that have been made to prevent failure. Nevertheless, as there are continuous improvements in the biocompatibility and biostability of various materials in the body, it is likely that we see continuous improvement of the biological–device interfaces. Application of NISs based on intracranial or extracranial sensors share many goals, challenges, and benefits. Future advances in signal processing and human user interfaces will help in the development of these two forms of NISs. In addition, the iNISs can provide a new form of high-resolution sensor to report abnormal patterns in injured brains, with numerous potentials for clinical applications. Of course, no one knows how to detect the signatures of the abnormal electrical events at present, however, if such events can be clearly detected it may be possible to create a device that interferes with the transition to abnormal activity patterns through interventions.
Short Biography
I completed my Junior and Senior High secondary education at Don Bosco School (College). Upon completion of my high school education, I attended S. Beheshti University (SBU; Former National University of Tehran, IR) to obtain my BSc at Biological Sciences. During the period of my BSc study I also involved with the development of a private company and worked as R&D with VIRA Pharmaceutical Inc. Later I studied Biochemistry & Microbiology in Austria and Hungary. Later I joined “Microbial Biotechnology Research Laboratory” at University of Waterloo, ON, CA and I completed my MSc degree, during which I was also involved to work at a biotechnology company named “Biorem” (Biorem, Waterloo, ON, CA). My work focused on the transport and degradation rates of BTEX compounds (as a model toxic and carcinogenic chemical) in contact with a cell-defined biofilm made up of biomass immobilized on naturally occurring materials. A simple conceptual model based on these results was also designed. Based on this model, pilot-scale and full-scale models were developed for industrial purposes. To complete my Ph.D., I focused on the study of the adverse effects of chemical toxicants (e.g. PAHs) on cellular mechanisms. Concomitantly, I also collaborated with Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, SK, CA in the area of computation microscopy that was used to complete my QSAR modeling study. After completion of my Ph.D. I joined Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center (CHMC) for PDF training in the area of molecular biology, signal transduction, and genomic study. Shortly after I joined LSUHSC as Senior Research Fellow to use my expertise in gene microarray in study on molecular biology of HSV-1. My focus was to determine the host and virus roles in the pathology and pharmacology of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) latency and reactivation, in order to develop targeted therapeutic strategies to block neuronal HSV-1 reactivation. During that time, I also initiated a research collaboration with different research organizations. I joined WFUBMC to obtain research/training in the area of Cancer Biology and I was conducting research as AACR Research Scientist (American Association of Cancer Research). In that period, I worked on the aberrant expression, deletion, and mutation of a tumor suppressor gene (hDMP1) and its related targets in human lung and breast cancer. This study provided new evidence that suggests the importance of hDMP1 transcription factor in Ras-ARF signaling. I have also used nanotechnology as center stage to develop nanoscale devices that can deliver cancer prevention agents and worked on biofouling-indifferent sensors that can detect cancer-associated biomarkers. I have been able to produce many good publications such as one of my papers that was published in “Cancer Cell” journal with high impact factor. Currently, I provide coaching, research and consulting through West Coast Biomedius and I also teach at local colleges and universities in Vancouver, Canada.
