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Education

Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, 2007
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Research Interests

Neural interfaces including neural electrodes are increasingly applied for the treatment of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, hearing loss, and chronic pain. Moreover, these implants hold the promise to return functionality to individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as paralysis and connectivity with advanced prosthetics.

Abidian research group works at the interface of biomaterials and electronic devices to develop next-generation neural interfaces. Engineering these systems requires an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates aspects of polymer synthesis, micro/nano-fabrication techniques, and cell-biomaterials interactions. These electronically active devices have a broad range of applications such as controlled drug delivery, neural recording, and stimulation, neurochemical sensing, and axonal regeneration.

Current efforts are focused on the following areas:
• Multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrid nanobiomaterials for smart targeted drug delivery to brain tumors.
• Bioactive conducting polymer and carbon nanotubes for axonal regeneration and biotic-abiotic interface of neural prostheses.
• Chronic, selective, and sensitive detection of neurochemicals using conducting polymer micro/nano-tubes.

Selected Publications

Abidian M. R., Corey J. M., Kipke D. R., Martin D. C., Conducting polymer nanotubes improve electrical properties, mechanical adhesion, neural attachment, and neurite outgrowth of neural electrodes. Small, 6 (3), 421-429 (2010).

Abidian M. R., Ludwig K, Marzullo T. C., Martin D. C., Kipke D. R., Interfacing conducting polymer nanotubes with the central nervous system: Chronic neural recording using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanotubes. Advanced Materials, 21 (37), 3764-3770 (2009).

Abidian M. R., Martin D. C., Multifunctional nanobiomaterials for neural interfaces. Advanced Functional Materials, 19 (4), 573-585 (2009)

Abidian M. R., Martin D. C., Experimental and theoretical characterization of neural microelectrodes modified with conducting polymer nanotubes. Biomaterials, 29 (9), 1273-1283 (2008)

Abidian M. R., Kim D. H., Martin D. C. Conducting polymer nanotubes for controlled drug release. Advanced Materials, 18 (4), 405-409 (2006)