“I’m very grateful for this donation. It opens up many opportunities, both for me and the others in the research group. We work on breakthrough research and will now be able to solve many difficult problems,” says Xenophon Strakosas, assistant professor at Linköping University.
The donation of approximately SEK 10 million over five years comes from the Stig Wadström Foundation in Norrköping. The purpose of the foundation is to promote research, scientific progress and education to benefit Sweden at local and national level.
“It feels good inside that we can support not only local but also cutting-edge research. Electronic medicine is an incredibly interesting and promising area, and something we want to be involved in supporting in the long term. It would be absolutely wonderful if this donation could contribute to a breakthrough,” says Robert Willén, chair of the Stig Wadström Foundation.
Treating nerve diseases
Electronic medicine is largely about treating various nerve diseases using so-called organic electronics.
In early 2023, Xenofon Strakosas and his colleagues managed to grow soft electrodes in living tissue using an injectable gel that becomes conductive when in contact with specific substances in the body. The long-term goal is the manufacture of fully integrated electronic circuits in living organisms.
Connecting electronics to biological tissue is important for understanding complex biological functions, combatting brain diseases and developing future interfaces between humans and machines.
“Some diseases of the brain are difficult to treat. With our solution, we hope to be able to both monitor and treat certain diseases. It’s an opportunity to surpass today’s modern implants, and the donation helps us along the way,” says Xenofon Strakosas.
