Neural Interface for Biohybrid Prosthetic Hands to Realize Sensory and Motor Functions

A neural interface is a technology that facilitates communication between the brain and external devices. One potential clinical application of a neural interface is in prosthetic arms. These devices can realize motor and sensory functions, enabling amputee patients to perform daily tasks. However, such prosthetic arms are still challenging because of the poor resolution of conventional neural electrodes and the difficulty in sorting the motor and sensory nerve cells. In this study, we attempt to utilize deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanotubes to develop a novel intracellular electrode with high resolution. Our results indicate that DNA nanotubes can transport ions, such as Ca 2+ . Moreover, a microchannel device for sorting motor and sensory nerves is introduced.