16 April 2024

The Stig Wadström Foundation is donating around SEK ten million to Linköping University, to fund a research position in electronic medicine. The researcher chosen for this position is Xenophon Strakosas at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics in Norrköping.

Researcher (Xenofon Strakosas) by a microscope.
In early 2023, Xenofon Strakosas and his colleagues managed to grow soft electrodes in living tissue, something they now aim to develop further. Photographer: Thor Balkhed

“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.

Portrait Xenofon Strakosas.
Xenofon Strakosas, researcher at LOE.Thor Balkhed

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.

Contact

Together, we can achieve anything

Latest news from LiU

Four female medical students enjoying the sun, study location Jönköping.

The medical programme at LiU wins award for student engagement

The medical programme at Linköping University (LiU) has won an international accreditation for student engagement and participation in shaping the programme.

A group of people sitting around a conference table

AI and interdisciplinarity go hand in hand

LiU has gained a strong position in artificial intelligence. In August, the government’s AI Commission visited Campus Valla to listen to researchers and acquaint themselves with supercomputers.

Conflicting signals from influencers who talk about mental ill-health

Female influencers who talk about mental ill-health walk a tightrope between different ideals for women. This is shown by two new studies from Linköping University.