# Neurotechnology design features' impact on the identity and function of reactive astrocytes

> **NIH NIH F99** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $36,602

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Implantable neurotechnology such as microelectrode arrays offers substantial promise to improve
the condition of many neurogenerative diseases. However, shortly after implantation, foreign body
response occurs, which is what researchers believe decreases stability and longevity of these
devices. Established biomarkers such as glial acid fibrillary protein and astrogliosis and stimuli such
as mechanical mismatch are studied to assess the state of response to the devices, however
immune response in the brain is not well understood. Astrocytes play an important role in the
brain’s immune system and recently, transcriptome analysis has confirmed calcium channel activity
of reactive astrocytes to be a potential biomarker in many neurodegenerative diseases, in this
dissertation project, I will investigate the correlation between astroglial reactivity and device
features. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that calcium channel isoforms respond to different
stimuli to induce the reactive state. I will use tissue co-culture methods to induce three types of
inflammatory astrocytic models, and characterize each model’s reactivity to probe material stiffness,
device features and change in cytoarchitecture, metabolism and pathophysiological genetic
expression. I aim to elucidate that pathway in neuro foreign body response, which will give
researchers a potential biomarker to target for therapeutic research concerning implantable
neurotechnology. I have outlined the work done thus far, current and future training strategies for
academic, professional, and educational advancement, as it relates to this project and aligns with
this my career goals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10071658
- **Project number:** 1F99NS118738-01
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ti'Air Riggins
- **Activity code:** F99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $36,602
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-06 → 2022-07-05

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10071658

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10071658, Neurotechnology design features' impact on the identity and function of reactive astrocytes (1F99NS118738-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10071658. Licensed CC0.

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