Highlighted projects and research directions

Brain Machine Nano Neural Interfaces for Next Generation Implants

The evolution of the neural prosthesis as a clinical solution for treatment and management of neural disorders has been focused on three major challenges; reducing tissue damage, increasing stimulation/recording resolution and implant life. We focus on biology, chemistry and physics of the interface while exploring innovations in nanotechnology to address those challenges with a focus on developing high fidelity, stable and long term nanoneural interfaces. Students interested in these projects will work at the interface of engineering and medicine in a multidisciplinary environment and engage in labs at leading labs at AUB and the United states working in the field.

Applications of Ultrasound in Nervous System

Low frequency ultrasound is a promising modality for focused, non-invasive stimulation of the peripheral and central nervous system. We have several openings for students looking to work on the application of US in the brain.

Capturing and Characterizing Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in Point-of Care-Platforms

CTCs carrying significant information of cancer progression and metastasis make their way from primary or metastatic lesions and enter into circulation. Isolating these from the bloodstream and the characterizing them is essential for early detection and monitoring of cancer. The efforts of my group will be focus on potentiometric and/or mechanical signature of CTCs for detection and nanostructured surfaces for capture.

Topics of interest

• Neural adhesion
• Cancer cells and diagnostics
• Nanomaterials
• Biology, chemistry and physics of neural interface.
• Smart Materials
• Ultrasound
• Neurological diseases
• Retinal Prosthesis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our group is seeking motivated students looking to work on problems at the interface of engineering and medicine in a multidisciplinary environment and engage in labs at leading labs at AUB and the United states working in the field. We also offer a lab rotation for interested students.

 

Postdoctoral candidates should contact the PI via email, attached their CV and describe the area of interest that is relevant to the research goals of the group.

 

Graduate students who are interested in joining the lab should contact the PI via email. We also offer a lab rotation for interested students.

 

Undergraduate students. We have a number of undergraduate students working in the lab and we are not currently accepting new students. Please check back in May.

 

EquipmentThe lab is equipped with state-of-the-art neurorecording systems. We have two electrophysiology rigs with 64 and 34 recordings channels. The systems are capable of recording from animal, cell and brain slices. We have a full fabrication setup for device inkjet printing including printers, inspection microscopes, electrical and surface characterization. The inkjet setup doubles for We also have a bioprinting. We have a holographic microscope. We have a FluidFM BOT for measuring cell adhesion, delivering fluid into cells and mirco and nano patterning. We also have a several setups for Ultrasound for physical mapping of acoustic profiles, amplifiers and focused transducers.

 

 

Principal Investigator: Massoud Louis Khraiche

Asssitant Professor, Bioemdical Engineering Program

Email: mkhraiche@aub.edu.lb

Phone: 961-1-350-000, Ext: 3473

 

 

Name: Trishia Chemaly

Join Date: Jan 2018

MS Student

Interest: Retinal prosthesis, retinal models and ultrasound for neuromodulation

Name: Ahmed Zantou

Join Date: August 2020

MS Student

Interest: CTC, AFM, Cancer.

Name: Mohamed Awad

Join Date: August 2020

MS Student

Interest: CTC, DEP, Cancer.

 

 

 

 

Name: Rima Lahoud

MS Student

Join Date: March 2018

Interest: Nanomaterial, cell adhesions.

 

Name: Arij El Hawary

MS Student

Join Date: March 2019

Interest: Optoelectronics and optogenetics.

 

 

 

Name: Zeina Habli Mitri

PhD Student

Join Date: Jun 2019

Interest: CTC, Biosensors.

 

Name: Sahera Salleh

PhD Student

Join Date: Nov 2019

Interest: Retinal prosthesis, retinal models and ultrasound for neuromodulation.

 

 

 

Name: Anthony Freije

MSStudent

Join Date: Jan 2019

Interest: Ultrasound, ablation.

Name: Huriyeh Moussa

Med Student

Join Date: Oct 2019

 

 

 

Name:Raneem Sheronick

Undergraduate

Join Date: Oct 2019

Interest: Ultrasound, pain and neuromodulation.

 

 

 

 

Name:Alexandra Mikhael

Undergraduate

Join Date: Jan 2019

Interest: Retinal prosthesis, retinal models and ultrasound for neuromodulation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Petra Raad

MS Student

Join Date: Jan 2020

Interest: Ultrasound, neuromodulation, pain.

 

 

 

Name:Tala Bechara

Lab Manager

 

 

Graduated: 

Name: Rima El Hassan

Join Date: Jan 2018

MS Student

Interest: Ultrasound for neuromodulation

 

Name: Jessica Mitri

MS Student

Join Date: Jan 2019

Interest: Ultrasound, ablation.

 

Name: Reem Almasri

MS Student

Join Date: March 2018

Interest: Inkjet printing, brain devices.

 

Name: Walid Alchama

MS Student

Join Date: Jan 2019

Interest: Inkjet printing devices, Biosensors.

 

Name:Daniel Maher

Undergraduate

Join Date: June 2019

Interest: Inkjet printi
ng devices and nanomaterials.

We are a motivated group of scientists and engineers dedicated to the process of discovery and advancing science and technology on the shores of the Mediterranean. We aim to solve problems that impact human health. Our focus is to develop novel nanotechnologies for next generation brain interfaces. Our areas of research include: neural engineering to develop new technologies for implantable devices that can help treat brain diseases, connect the brain to artificial limbs or restore lost senses such as vision or hearing; and we are interested in biology, chemistry and physics ofnanoscale science to study, and discover new applications of nanomaterials for innovations in biosensors leading to improved characteristics or novel functionality.