Unlocking the Gut's Brain with Ingestible Bioelectronics

Unlocking the Gut's Brain with Ingestible Bioelectronics

Shriya Srinivasan, Harvard University

Abstract:  Designing ingestible neural interfaces for the gastrointestinal tract requires careful consideration of the enteric nervous system (ENS). Comprised of 400-600 million neurons, this complex web-like plexus of nerves plays a crucial role in regulating not only digestive functions but also influencing mood, cognition, immunity, and energy balance through its intricate interactions on neural, hormonal, and microbial axes. Ingestible devices that interface with the ENS hold immense potential for advancing the understanding and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders through electrical, chemical, and mechanical functionalities. This talk will delve into ingestible devices that could transform treatments for conditions like gastroparesis and obesity by offering targeted stimulation and enhancing drug delivery. Ultimately, ingestible devices could enhance overall health by providing personalized, responsive interventions delivered in the gut.

Bio:  Dr. Shriya Srinivasan is an assistant professor of bioengineering at Harvard University where she directs the Harvard Biohybrid Organs and Neuroprosthetics (BIONICS) lab. The lab focuses on the development of surgical reconstruction techniques in consort with bidirectional neural implants for improved sensorimotor control. 

Shriya graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a BS in biomedical engineering, with a concentration in biomaterials. She then received her doctoral degree in medical engineering and medical physics through the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program in January 2020. Her doctoral research focused on the development of novel neural interfaces utilizing tissue engineering to better interface human limbs with prostheses, in the context of amputation and paralysis. She developed the Regenerative Agonist-antagonist Myoneural Interface (AMI) that enables patients to control their prosthesis with native neural signals. She also explored optogenetic techniques to create novel strategies to accelerate and improve neural control.  

As a junior fellow at the Harvard Society of Fellows and Schmidt Science Fellow, Shriya worked in the labs of Dr. Giovanni Traverso and Dr. Robert Langer, designing ingestible bioelectronics for gastrointestinal neuromodulation. 

Shriya has been awarded the Delsys Prize, the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize for her innovative work, and recognized by Forbes and the MIT Technology Review as one of 30 innovators under 30.