This image is part of our efforts to control paralyzed muscles via artificial stimulation.

Depicted here is a peripheral nerve where the fluorescence indicates the expression of a protein that makes the axons of neurons photosensitive so their electrical activity can be controlled with light .

This study  demonstrates  that muscles can be controlled with high-precision and fatigue-resistance using optical stimulation, something that has been elusive up to date. We took this image because we wanted to understand the expression distribution of the photo-sensitive protein across the nerve, as we believe this is the main reason muscles can be accurately controlled using light.

My research goal is to design neuroprosthetic systems with high-performance capabilities, so individuals with neurological conditions can perform activities at par with individuals without neurological conditions.