Polina Anikeeva Explained

Polina Olegovna Anikeeva
Birth Place:Leningrad, Soviet Union
Awards:National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2013)
Workplaces:Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Fields:Bioelectronics
Alma Mater:Massachusetts Institute of Technology
St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University
Doctoral Advisor:Vladimir Bulović
Academic Advisors:Karl Deisseroth
Thesis Title:Physical properties and design of light-emitting devices based on organic materials and nanoparticles
Thesis Url:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/46680
Thesis Year:2009

Polina Olegovna Anikeeva (born 1982) is a Russian-born American materials scientist who is a Professor of Material Science & Engineering as well as Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She also holds faculty appointments in the McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Research Laboratory of Electronics at MIT. Her research is centered on developing tools for studying the underlying molecular and cellular bases of behavior and neurological diseases. She was awarded the 2018 Vilcek Foundation Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science, the 2020 MacVicar Faculty Fellowship at MIT, and in 2015 was named a MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35.

Early life and education

Anikeeva was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia (then Leningrad, Soviet Union), the daughter of mechanical engineers.[1] At 12, Anikeeva was admitted to the Physical-Technical High School.[2] She studied biophysics at St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University, where she worked under the guidance of Tatiana Birshtein,[3] a polymer physicist at the Institute of Macromolecular Compounds of the Russian Academy of Sciences. During her undergraduate studies she also completed an exchange program at ETH Zurich where she learned to analyze the structure of proteins using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.[1]

After graduating in 2003, Anikeeva spent a year working in the Physical Chemistry Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory where she developed photovoltaic cells based on quantum dots (QDs).[4] In 2004, she enrolled in the Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D. program at MIT and joined Vladimir Bulović's laboratory of organic electronics.[5] While a graduate student, she was the lead author on a seminal paper[6] that reported a method for generating QD light-emitting devices with electroluminescence tunable over the visible spectrum (460 nm to 650 nm). Her doctoral research was commercialized by the display industry, and acquired by a manufacturer that eventually became part of Samsung.[7]

Research and career

Anikeeva moved to Stanford University and was appointed to Karl Deisseroth's neuroscience laboratory as a postdoctoral scholar, where she created devices for optical stimulation and recording from brain circuits.[8] The Deisseroth laboratory pioneered Optogenetics, a technique that utilizes light-sensitive ion channels such as Channelrhodopsins to modulate neuronal activity. Anikeeva worked on combining tetrodes, electronic modalities used to record neuronal activity, with optical waveguides[9] to create optetrodes. In Deisseroth’s lab, Anikeeva found a way to improve upon the fiber-optic probes they were using. Through her version, she incorporated multiple electrodes, allowing them to better capture neuronal signals.[10] These optoelectronic devices could be used to record the electrical activity invoked by light delivered through the waveguide.[11] [12] [13]

Anikeeva returned to Cambridge, Massachusetts as an AMAX Career Development Assistant Professor at MIT in 2011.[14] The Anikeeva laboratory, which is also referred to as Bioelectronics@MIT, engineers tools to study and control the nervous system.[15] By pursuing wireless technologies, Anikeeva's group has demonstrated techniques that use magnetic fields and injected nanoparticles to activate cells within mice brains.[1]

Anikeeva's work emphasizes probing the brain with softer materials while integrating several functions into one device. Her research centers around creating a much less invasive way of stimulating brain cells. Her laboratory has two primary research priorities. The first is using the thermal drawing technique, a process originally developed for applications such as fiber optics and textiles, to create flexible polymer, fiber-based neural interfaces.[16] In 2015, Anikeeva and co-workers first reported these flexible neural interfaces, which are also referred to as neural probes, and demonstrated that they could combine optical, electronic, and microfluidic modalities into a single implantable device for chronic interrogation of the nervous system. These fibers are a more advanced and scalable technology than their optetrode precursors. Since then, Anikeeva and her students have created more advanced neural interfaces that can be customized at their NeuroBionics lab[17] and include materials such as photoresists[18] and hydrogels.[19]

Anikeeva's second main research theme is using magnetic fields to wirelessly modulate neuronal activity. Unlike light, which has a limited penetration depth in biological tissues due to attenuation, weak alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) have minimal coupling to biological tissues due to tissues' low conductivity and negligible magnetic permeability.[20] In 2015, Anikeeva and her students demonstrated in a key paper published in Science[21] that magneto-thermal stimulation with magnetic nanomaterials could be used for wireless deep brain stimulation. Follow up studies from the Anikeeva laboratory then extended this concept to stimulate mechanosensitive channels.[22] Anikeeva and her colleagues have also shown that these magnetic nanomaterials can additionally be used to trigger drug delivery,[23] hormone release,[24] and for stimulating acid-sensing ion channels.

Current research

Anikeeva's recent work explores the brain-gut interface, advancing the fundamental neuroscience of brain-organ communication.[1] While her previous work centered around the central nervous system, Anikeeva is now exploring communication from the peripheral nervous system.

Particularly intrigued by the signals exchanged between the brain and nervous system, Anikeeva initially focused on understanding how sensory cells in the gut influence the brain and body through neuronal communication and hormone release.[25] Now, Anikeeva emphasizes the reciprocal communication between the body and brain involving their two-way interaction. Her team continues to regulate and explore functions that had previously been attributed solely to central neural control.[25]

In May 2023, Anikeeva co-founded and became the scientific advisor of the NeuroBionics lab.[26] Her first device contains 6 tungsten microelectrodes, an optical channel for optogenetics and fiber photometry, and a fluidic channel.[27]

During the BrainMind Special Forum on Neuromodulation + BCI + AI in June 2024,[28] Anikeeva explained how traditional sharp materials are dangerous when injected into the brain’s soft tissues. To address this, Anikeeva’s team draws inspiration from the flexibility and signal transmission capabilities of natural nerves.[28] Anikeeva's team is already designing stiff fibers that could be threaded into the brain, as well as more delicate, rubbery fibers that are still sturdy enough for the digestive track.[29] Much of Anikeeva's recent work emphasizes the interconnectedness of the brain and body, noting that many neurological conditions also involve gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. However, developing therapies concerning these disorders has proven a recent challenge as it is difficult to deliver them across the blood-brain barrier.[30] Anikeeva's recent work on magnetic stimulation has raised the possibility to avoid the barrier altogether. Her future projects aim to investigate the interplay between digestive health and these neurological conditions.[29]

TEDx talks

Anikeeva has given TEDx talks where she discusses the technologies invented in her laboratory and neural interfaces more broadly.

Awards and honors

Selected publications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A Better Way to Probe the Brain . MIT Technology Review . 7 June 2024.
  2. Web site: A Better Way to Probe the Brain . MIT Technology Review . 10 June 2024.
  3. Web site: Polina Anikeeva Women in Optics SPIE. 2020-11-10. spie.org.
  4. Web site: A Better Way to Probe the Brain . MIT Technology Review . 10 June 2024.
  5. Physical properties and design of light-emitting devices based on organic materials and nanoparticles. PhD. Polina Olegovna . Anikeeva. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. mit.edu. 1721.1/46680. 428140641. 2009.
  6. Anikeeva. Polina O.. Halpert. Jonathan E.. Bawendi. Moungi G.. Bulović. Vladimir. 2009-07-08. Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Devices with Electroluminescence Tunable over the Entire Visible Spectrum. Nano Letters. en. 9. 7. 2532–2536. 10.1021/nl9002969. 19514711 . 2009NanoL...9.2532A . 1530-6984.
  7. Web site: Polina Anikeeva. 2020-11-10. Vilcek Foundation. en-US.
  8. Web site: Polina Anikeeva .
  9. Anikeeva. Polina. Andalman. Aaron S. Witten. Ilana. Warden. Melissa. Goshen. Inbal. Grosenick. Logan. Gunaydin. Lisa A. Frank. Loren M. Deisseroth. Karl. January 2012. Optetrode: a multichannel readout for optogenetic control in freely moving mice. Nature Neuroscience. en. 15. 1. 163–170. 10.1038/nn.2992. 1097-6256. 4164695. 22138641.
  10. Web site: "I wanted to work on something that didn't exist" .
  11. Canales. Andres. Jia. Xiaoting. Froriep. Ulrich P. Koppes. Ryan A. Tringides. Christina M. Selvidge. Jennifer. Lu. Chi. Hou. Chong. Wei. Lei. Fink. Yoel. Anikeeva. Polina. March 2015. Multifunctional fibers for simultaneous optical, electrical and chemical interrogation of neural circuits in vivo. Nature Biotechnology. en. 33. 3. 277–284. 10.1038/nbt.3093. 25599177 . 12319389 . 1087-0156.
  12. Park. Seongjun. Guo. Yuanyuan. Jia. Xiaoting. Choe. Han Kyoung. Grena. Benjamin. Kang. Jeewoo. Park. Jiyeon. Lu. Chi. Canales. Andres. Chen. Ritchie. Yim. Yeong Shin. April 2017. One-step optogenetics with multifunctional flexible polymer fibers. Nature Neuroscience. en. 20. 4. 612–619. 10.1038/nn.4510. 1097-6256. 5374019. 28218915. 1721.1/111655 .
  13. Frank. James A.. Antonini. Marc-Joseph. Chiang. Po-Han. Canales. Andres. Konrad. David B.. Garwood. Indie C.. Rajic. Gabriela. Koehler. Florian. Fink. Yoel. Anikeeva. Polina. 2020-11-18. In Vivo Photopharmacology Enabled by Multifunctional Fibers. ACS Chemical Neuroscience. en. 11. 22. 3802–3813. 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00577. 33108719 . 225099176 . 1948-7193. 10251749.
  14. Web site: Polina Anikeeva. 2020-11-10. MIT McGovern Institute. en-US.
  15. Web site: Polina Anikeeva. 2020-11-10. TEDxCambridge. en-US.
  16. Park. Jimin. Jin. Kyoungsuk. Sahasrabudhe. Atharva. Chiang. Po-Han. Maalouf. Joseph H.. Koehler. Florian. Rosenfeld. Dekel. Rao. Siyuan. Tanaka. Tomo. Khudiyev. Tural. Schiffer. Zachary J.. August 2020. In situ electrochemical generation of nitric oxide for neuronal modulation. Nature Nanotechnology. en. 15. 8. 690–697. 10.1038/s41565-020-0701-x. 1748-3387. 7415650. 32601446. 2020NatNa..15..690P .
  17. Antonini. Marc-Joseph. Sahasrabudhe. Atharva. Tabet. Anthony. Schwalm. Miriam. Rosenfeld. Dekel. Garwood. Indie. Park. Jimin. Loke. Gabriel. Khudiyev. Tural. Kanik. Mehmet. Corbin. Nathan. 2021-05-18. Customizing Multifunctional Neural Interfaces through Thermal Drawing Process. en. 10.1101/2021.05.17.444577. 234795185 .
  18. Lee. Youngbin. Canales. Andres. Loke. Gabriel. Kanik. Mehmet. Fink. Yoel. Anikeeva. Polina. 2020-12-23. Selectively Micro-Patternable Fibers via In-Fiber Photolithography. ACS Central Science. en. 6. 12. 2319–2325. 10.1021/acscentsci.0c01188. 2374-7943. 7760470. 33376793.
  19. Tabet. Anthony. Antonini. Marc-Joseph. Sahasrabudhe. Atharva. Park. Jimin. Rosenfeld. Dekel. Koehler. Florian. Yuk. Hyunwoo. Hanson. Samuel. Stinson. Jordan A.. Stok. Melissa. Zhao. Xuanhe. 2021-05-07. Modular Integration of Hydrogel Neural Interfaces. ACS Central Science . 7 . 9 . 1516–1523 . 10.26434/chemrxiv.14541432. 34584953 . 8461769 .
  20. Park. Jimin. Tabet. Anthony. Moon. Junsang. Chiang. Po-Han. Koehler. Florian. Sahasrabudhe. Atharva. Anikeeva. Polina. 2020-09-09. Remotely Controlled Proton Generation for Neuromodulation. Nano Letters. en. 20. 9. 6535–6541. 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c02281. 32786937 . 8558523 . 2020NanoL..20.6535P . 1530-6984.
  21. Chen. R.. Romero. G.. Christiansen. M. G.. Mohr. A.. Anikeeva. P.. 2015-03-27. Wireless magnetothermal deep brain stimulation. Science. en. 347. 6229. 1477–1480. 10.1126/science.1261821. 25765068 . 2015Sci...347.1477C . 0036-8075. 1721.1/96011. 43687881 . free.
  22. Gregurec. Danijela. Senko. Alexander W.. Chuvilin. Andrey. Reddy. Pooja D.. Sankararaman. Ashwin. Rosenfeld. Dekel. Chiang. Po-Han. Garcia. Francisco. Tafel. Ian. Varnavides. Georgios. Ciocan. Eugenia. 2020-07-28. Magnetic Vortex Nanodiscs Enable Remote Magnetomechanical Neural Stimulation. ACS Nano. en. 14. 7. 8036–8045. 10.1021/acsnano.0c00562. 32559057 . 8592276 . 1936-0851.
  23. Rao. Siyuan. Chen. Ritchie. LaRocca. Ava A.. Christiansen. Michael G.. Senko. Alexander W.. Shi. Cindy H.. Chiang. Po-Han. Varnavides. Georgios. Xue. Jian. Zhou. Yang. Park. Seongjun. October 2019. Remotely controlled chemomagnetic modulation of targeted neural circuits. Nature Nanotechnology. en. 14. 10. 967–973. 10.1038/s41565-019-0521-z. 1748-3387. 6778020. 31427746. 2019NatNa..14..967R .
  24. Rosenfeld. Dekel. Senko. Alexander W.. Moon. Junsang. Yick. Isabel. Varnavides. Georgios. Gregureć. Danijela. Koehler. Florian. Chiang. Po-Han. Christiansen. Michael G.. Maeng. Lisa Y.. Widge. Alik S.. April 2020. Transgene-free remote magnetothermal regulation of adrenal hormones. Science Advances. en. 6. 15. eaaz3734. 10.1126/sciadv.aaz3734. 2375-2548. 7148104. 32300655. 2020SciA....6.3734R .
  25. Web site: Unraveling the connections between the brain and gut . News Wise . 7 June 2024.
  26. Web site: NeuroBionics . NeuroBionics . 8 June 2024.
  27. Web site: For Researchers . NeuroBionics . 9 June 2024.
  28. Web site: BrainMind Special Forum: Neuromodulation + BCI + AI .
  29. Web site: The Gut-Brain Connection: Probing Neurological Disorders . Neuroscience News. 22 June 2023 .
  30. Web site: Broadcom CEO Donates $28 Million To MIT, Fueling Research For Brain Disorders . Forbes . 7 June 2024.
  31. Web site: Rethinking the Brain Machine Interface . TEDxCambridge . 10 June 2024.
  32. Web site: Why You Shouldn't Upload Your Brain To A Computer . TED . 10 June 2024.
  33. Web site: NSF Award Search: Award#1253890 - CAREER: Optoelectronic neural scaffolds: materials platform for investigation and control of neuronal activity and development. 2020-11-10. nsf.gov.
  34. Web site: Polina Anikeeva. 2020-11-10. naefrontiers.org.
  35. Web site: Polina Anikeeva. 2021-05-25. World Economic Forum. en.
  36. Web site: Magnetic neural control with nanoparticles . MIT News . 5 June 2024 . 17 September 2014 .
  37. Web site: Dresselhaus Award announced MIT DMSE. 2020-11-10. dmse.mit.edu.
  38. Web site: Polina Anikeeva . McGovern Institute . 6 June 2024.
  39. Web site: Junior Bose Award MIT DMSE. 2020-11-10. dmse.mit.edu.
  40. Web site: Technology Review announces TR35 MIT DMSE. 2020-11-10. dmse.mit.edu.
  41. Web site: Funded Awards | BRAIN Initiative . National Institutes of Health . 5 June 2024 .
  42. Web site: Seven MIT educators honored for digital learning innovation. 2021-05-25. MIT News Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2 July 2019 . en.
  43. Web site: 2020 MacVicar Faculty Fellows named. 2021-05-25. MIT News Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 9 March 2020 . en.
  44. Web site: 2021 Awardees | NIH Common Fund . National Institutes of Health . 5 June 2024 .

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