Implantable and Wearable Electrochemical Sensors for Monitoring Central Nervous System
Prof. Jinghua Li designs biochemical interfaces for living systems with her materials and electrochemical background. Her research philosophy revolves around promoting novel insights in chemical sciences by pushing traditional boundaries and merging them with diverse fields. Her lifelong goal is to advance the field of bioelectronics and contribute to the development of innovative technologies that enhance human health, well-being, and quality of life. A key innovation in her research is emphasis on addressing the biochemical dimension within the realm of bio-integrated electronics: In contrast to the well-established and commercialized systems for monitoring biophysical signals such as electrophysiology and oximetry, the exploration of biochemical signals is still in its early stages in current research endeavors. Achieving optimal functionality in these sensing schemes demands a holistic understanding of biochemical interfaces, transducers, and their intricate electrochemical coupling strategies. Centered on electrochemistry, she has developed advanced analytical methods that connect solution-sensor interfaces (enzymes, aptamers, ion-selective membranes) with thin-film materials/electronics (diodes, field-effect transistors, fuel cells) to quantify biochemical signals. She established a unifying framework that facilitates the creation of various biosensing schemes on demand, achieved through the combination of bioreceptors, interface materials, and electronics. Her research outcomes have resulted in a broadly applicable biosensing framework at Ohio State, enabling us and our colleagues to conduct diverse biosignal assessments tailored to specific scenarios.
Additionally, her interdisciplinary background in chemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering has enabled her to extend her research beyond fundamental science. She demonstrated integration schemes for creating bio-integrated electronics, such as neural probes and sweat patches, that seamlessly interact with biomarkers, including metabolites, ions, and neurotransmitters, in both animal models and human subjects. These systems successfully address long-standing limitations related to form factor mismatch at the biotic-abiotic interface, and have proven to reliably capture biochemical information continuously. By exploring various modalities, including transient and long-term, static and dynamic, wearable and implantable, her research will ultimately result in the development of engineering tools for monitoring multiple bio-signals through stable integration with biosystems.
Aside from her focus on healthcare, her group has discovered a method that enables creation of biosensors in a sustainable manner. These include: (1) Designing regeneratable allosteric nucleotides as bioreceptors for sensors; (2) Establishing miniaturized actuators that control the local chemical environment, facilitating sensor regeneration through electrochemistry; and (3) Realizing on-chip regeneration through the integration and feedback between sensors and actuators. This thrust provides a realistic route for minimizing resources/reagents and preventing environmental pollution.
Dr. Jinghua Li is an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, beginning in September 2019. Prior to joining Ohio State, she worked as a postdoctoral fellow with Professor John A. Rogers in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University. Dr. Li graduated from Duke University in May 2016 with a Ph.D. in Chemistry. Her two focus areas are: 1) fundamental understandings on synthesis chemistry and interfacial properties of thin-film materials as bio-interfaces; and 2) engineering efforts on application of these materials for the next generation wearable/implantable biomedical devices to bridge the gap between rigid machine and soft biology. Her faculty position is funded, in part, by the Discovery Themes Initiative in the area of Chronic Brain Injury, which has promoted faculty hires and support of critical materials needs in the areas of imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of brain injury. Dr. Li supports the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence, Nanotech West, and the Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis with her expertise in the function of biomaterials.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
-
Add Event to Calendar
Loading virtual attendance info...
- Contact Event Hosts
-
Markondeya Pulugurtha
- Co-sponsored by Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University
- Starts 15 September 2025 04:00 AM UTC
- Ends 08 October 2025 04:00 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Jinghua
Jinghua Li, Implantable and Wearable Electrochemical Sensors for Monitoring Central Nervous System
Prof. Jinghua Li designs biochemical interfaces for living systems with her materials and electrochemical background. Her research philosophy revolves around promoting novel insights in chemical sciences by pushing traditional boundaries and merging them with diverse fields. Her lifelong goal is to advance the field of bioelectronics and contribute to the development of innovative technologies that enhance human health, well-being, and quality of life. A key innovation in her research is emphasis on addressing the biochemical dimension within the realm of bio-integrated electronics: In contrast to the well-established and commercialized systems for monitoring biophysical signals such as electrophysiology and oximetry, the exploration of biochemical signals is still in its early stages in current research endeavors. Achieving optimal functionality in these sensing schemes demands a holistic understanding of biochemical interfaces, transducers, and their intricate electrochemical coupling strategies. Centered on electrochemistry, she has developed advanced analytical methods that connect solution-sensor interfaces (enzymes, aptamers, ion-selective membranes) with thin-film materials/electronics (diodes, field-effect transistors, fuel cells) to quantify biochemical signals. She established a unifying framework that facilitates the creation of various biosensing schemes on demand, achieved through the combination of bioreceptors, interface materials, and electronics. Her research outcomes have resulted in a broadly applicable biosensing framework at Ohio State, enabling us and our colleagues to conduct diverse biosignal assessments tailored to specific scenarios.
Additionally, her interdisciplinary background in chemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering has enabled her to extend her research beyond fundamental science. She demonstrated integration schemes for creating bio-integrated electronics, such as neural probes and sweat patches, that seamlessly interact with biomarkers, including metabolites, ions, and neurotransmitters, in both animal models and human subjects. These systems successfully address long-standing limitations related to form factor mismatch at the biotic-abiotic interface, and have proven to reliably capture biochemical information continuously. By exploring various modalities, including transient and long-term, static and dynamic, wearable and implantable, her research will ultimately result in the development of engineering tools for monitoring multiple bio-signals through stable integration with biosystems.
Aside from her focus on healthcare, her group has discovered a method that enables creation of biosensors in a sustainable manner. These include: (1) Designing regeneratable allosteric nucleotides as bioreceptors for sensors; (2) Establishing miniaturized actuators that control the local chemical environment, facilitating sensor regeneration through electrochemistry; and (3) Realizing on-chip regeneration through the integration and feedback between sensors and actuators. This thrust provides a realistic route for minimizing resources/reagents and preventing environmental pollution.
Biography:
Dr. Jinghua Li is an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, beginning in September 2019. Prior to joining Ohio State, she worked as a postdoctoral fellow with Professor John A. Rogers in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University. Dr. Li graduated from Duke University in May 2016 with a Ph.D. in Chemistry. Her two focus areas are: 1) fundamental understandings on synthesis chemistry and interfacial properties of thin-film materials as bio-interfaces; and 2) engineering efforts on application of these materials for the next generation wearable/implantable biomedical devices to bridge the gap between rigid machine and soft biology. Her faculty position is funded, in part, by the Discovery Themes Initiative in the area of Chronic Brain Injury, which has promoted faculty hires and support of critical materials needs in the areas of imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of brain injury. Dr. Li supports the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence, Nanotech West, and the Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis with her expertise in the function of biomaterials.
Agenda
10 - 11 AM, Oct 17, 2025, Technical Seminar
3 - 4 PM, Oct 17, 2025, Professional Development Seminar