# Lysosome-Directed Strategies to Improve the Success of Neural Interfaces

> **NSF 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Pittsburgh (PA) · $550,000

## Abstract

Tiny electrodes placed in the brain can help doctors treat conditions like Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and paralysis. These devices, called brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), can let a paralyzed person move a robotic arm or speak through a computer. For BCIs to function, the tissue around the newly implanted electrode must heal and form a stable connection with it. Half of the BCIs stop functioning within a year because brain tissue around the device does not heal and becomes inflamed. Electrode insertion leaves behind cellular debris such as damaged cells, blood, and fragments of the fatty coating that wraps neurons. Brain cells have built-in cleanup systems driven by organelles inside cells called lysosomes that act as recycling centers and break down this debris. However, after an electrode is implanted, lysosomes become overwhelmed and are unable to remove the cellular debris. This causes inflammation in the brain and the contact between the electrode and the brain tissue slowly fails. This project will test a new approach that uses safe gene therapy tools to boost the brain's lysosomes and help tissue heal, enabling brain implants to last for many years. The project will also support workforce development by providing internships to Pittsburgh high school students. Further, the work will enable hands-on learning for undergraduates in bioengineering and cell biology to design better brain electrodes. The work will be disseminated on a public website with demos and art

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2552758
- **Awardee organization:** University of Pittsburgh (PA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MKAGLD59JRL1
- **PI:** Kirill I Kiselyov
- **Primary program:** 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** —
- **Estimated total:** $550,000
- **Funds obligated:** $550,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 06/15/2026 → 05/31/2029

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2552758

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2552758, Lysosome-Directed Strategies to Improve the Success of Neural Interfaces. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2552758. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NSF Awards dataset](/datasets/nsf-awards) · CC0 1.0*