I am a physicist, working at Institut Néel (Grenoble, France), a CNRS laboratory, associated with Grenoble Alpes University UGA . The Institut Néel is devoted to fundamental research in condensed matter physics, enriched by interdisciplinary activities at the interfaces with chemistry, engineering and biology. In this laboratory, I work in the research group Thermodynamics & Biophysics of small systems.
My interest mostly focuses on the electrical activity and organization of excitable cells and in particular neurons! At the interface between nano and neurosciences, these projects are highly intersiciplinary, involving micro and nanofabrication, ultra-hight sensitive instrumentation, signal processing, chemistry, and cellular biology.
postal adress :
Cécile Delacour
Institut Néel, CNRS UPR2940
25 rue des Martyrs BP 166
38042 Grenoble cedex 9
FRANCE
phone: +33 476 889 094
mail: prenom.nom@neel.cnrs.fr
Research topics
I work on several topics at the interface between nano and neuro-sciences, at Néel Institut. I moslty focus my researches on the electrical activity and organization of excitable cells like neurons. For that purpose, we are developping neural interfaces with integrated nanodevices arrays (FETs, MEAS etc) to adress neuronal architectures at multiscales. My projects involve several techniques such as electrophysiology, imaging, clean room microfabrication, ultra sensitive instrumentation, signal processing, electrochemistry, and cell culture.
==> Opportunities for master training could be opened on these topics. Contact me!
Nanoelectronic to probe neurons at multiple scales
This work aims to implent versatile tools coming from the nanoelectronics to probe subcellular processes involved in neuronal activity. Nanowire field effect transistors (nanoFEts) are local, non-invasive and active nano-devices. They appear suitable to follow the propagation of spikes along single cell (from synaptic junctions to the axon) and its networks. Such tools should allow a wide range of investigations in neurosciences such as noise enhanced spike propagation or neurons plasticity for instance.
==> Here, we follow single spike propagation at precise location along mature neurons (3 weeks old) with silicon nanowire field effect transistor (Delacour et al 2020 Advanced Engineering Materials).
==> Here, we show the ability to sense ion channel openning and closing with graphene field effect transistors (Veliev et al 2018 2D Mater. 5 045020).
==> Here, we show the ability to sense single spike from individual neurons within in-vitro neuronal networks (Veliev et al 2017 Frontiers in neuroscience 11, 466)
Graphene for neural interfaces
Being highly neuro-compatible, chemically inert, transparent, flexible and still highly conducting, this 2D materials could enhance sensitivity and time stability of the current biosensors, neuronal interfaces and neuroprothesis.
==> Here, we show the positive impact of graphene on neurons growth within in-vitro culture assays (Veliev et al 2016 Biomaterials 86, 33-41)
==> Here, we have shown that graphene reduces the glial scaring process around intracortical implants and enhances both efficiency and life-time of the recording electrodes (Bourrier et al 2019 Advanced healthcare materials 8 (18), 1801331)
==> Here, we show that graphene could be combined with advanced coating made of Hyaluronic Acid that could further improve bio-acceptance and functionality of Brain implants (Bourrier et al 2020 Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express 7 (1), 015006)
Thermodynamics of neurons
we aim to implement thermal probes to track small variations of temperature induced by neuronal activity.
==> Here, we investigate the use of dual-light emitting nanocrystals that exhibits both second harmonic signal and photoluminescence for temperature reading of neuronal network (Dantelle et al 2021 Nanomaterials 11 (2), 479)
[talk] GRAPHENE, Barcelona (Sp) 2017 Interfacing neurons networks with polycrystalline graphene transistors C. Delacour et al.
[invited talk] GdR BioComp, Lyon (Fr) 2016 Interfacing neurons with nanoelectronics: from neuron, to networks, to brain C. Delacour et al.
[poster] Conferences Jacques-Monod Imagerie optique de la connectivité neuronale, des synapses aux réseaux en action, Roskov (Fr) 2016 Graphene based nanoelectronics for neuronal interfaces C. Delacour et al.
[talk] Graphene week Flagship , Warsaw (Pl) 2016 Graphene biosensors: from neuron coupling to brain interfacing A. Bourrier et al.
[talk] GdR Multisystems for neurosciences , Autrans (Fr) 2016 Graphene field effect transistors for neuronal interfacing C. Delacour et al.
[talk] GRAPHENE, Bilbao (SP) 2015 Graphene Transistors for Detection of Neuronal Activity. F. Veliev et al.
[poster] SFN, Montpellier (FR) 2015 Toward bioactive brain interface with functionalized graphene nano-electronics. A. Bourrier et al.
[poster] MEA-Meeting, Reutlingen (DE) 2014 Graphene and Silicon-Nanowire Field Effect Transistors for Neuronal Interfacing.F. Veliev et al.
[invited talk] ETHZ, 2012 NanoFETs to probe organized neuron networks.C. Delacour et al.
[poster] MEA-Meeting, Reutlingen (DE) 2012 Nanowires field effect transistors to probes organized neurons arrays.C. Delacour et al.
[talk] GdR Nanofils Semiconducteurs, Rennes (FR) 2012 Nanowires field effect transistors to probes organized neurons arrays. F.Veliev et al.
[talk] GdR CellTiss, Lille (FR) 2011 Array of silicon field effect transistors to detect charges propagation in neuron circuit.C. Delacour et al.
[talk] MRS Spring Meeting, San Francisco (US) 2011 Array of silicon field effect transistors to detect charges propagation in neuron circuit.C. Delacour et al.
[talk] MRS Spring Meeting, San Francisco (US) 2011 Stable superconducting niobium ultrathin films. C. Delacour et al.
[talk] Group IV Photonics (GFP), Pekin (PRC) 2010 Metal-oxide-silicon nanophotonics : an efficient integration of plasmonic nano-slot with silicon waveguide. C. Delacour et al.
[talk] Fourth International Conference on Surface Plasmon Photonics (SPP4), Amsterdam (NL) 2009 Coupling plasmonics and silicon photonics. C. Delacour et al.
[talk] International Conférence on Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies (ICNT) , Basel (CH) 2006 Metallic and Superconducting nanowires made by local oxidation with an AFM. C. Delacour et al.
[talk] Sefira – Journées SUPRA , Rustrel (FR) 2006 Détecteurs supraconducteurs réalisés par oxydation locale sous AFM.C. Delacour et al.
[talk] APS March Meeting , Baltimore (US) 2006 Single electron transistors without tunnel junction tailored by local oxidation of metallic ultra thin films. V. Bouchiat et al.
[poster] GrD Physique quantique mesoscopique , Aussois (FR) 2005 Transport mésoscopique dans des nanostructures supraconductrices réalisées par AFM. C. Delacour et al.
[talk] Forum des microscopies à sonde locale en champ proche , Anglet (FR) 2005 Nano-dispositifs quantiques réalisés par oxydation locale sous AFM. C. Delacour et al.
Research scientists at Institut Néel (CNRS)- Team Thermodynamics & Biophysics of small systems.
Positions
(Born: 1980)
2011 : CNRS research scientist, at Néel (CNRS), Grenoble, France.
2010-11: Post-doctoral researcher, Institut Néel, CNRS-Grenoble, France. Topics: Neuroelectronic
2008-10: Post-doctoral researcher, Department of Optic and Photonic, Leti-CEA, Grenoble , in the group of A.Chelnokov.
Milestones
2018: HdR Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches, « Nanoelectronics to probe Neurons based systems », delivered by Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS-Grenoble, France
2011: CNRS Researcher at Néel Institut (CNRS).
2007: Ph.D « Quantum transport and detection in superconducting nanowires », delivered by University Grenoble Alpes (UGA), CNRS-Grenoble, France
2004: Graduated in Condensed Matter Physics, Master at University Joseph Fourier (UGA) and Engineering degree in Physics (PHELMA), Grenoble, France
2004-07: Quantum transport and detection in superconducting nanowire (I.Néel, UPR 2940, Grenoble)
Key words: Supraconductivity, low-noise electronics, atomic force microscopy, nano-lithography, ultra-thin film.
2004: Superconducting quantum interference device (I.Néel, UPR 2940, Grenoble)
Key words: Supraconductivity, low-noise electronics, atomic force microscopy, nano-lithography, ultra-thin film.
Teaching
2020 Lecturer (Master) Biotechnology, University Grenoble Alpes
2018 Professor assistant (Master) Fluctuation, dissipation and Optical trapping, Université Grenoble Alpes
2016 Professor assistant (PhD and young researchers) MEA recordings. School on Multi-electrode systems for Neurosciences.
2006 Professor assistant (Master) Linear optic UGA
Others
Scientific leader of a biotechnology and bioengineering platerfom (BioPhab) at Néel Institut
Member of Laboratory Committees for reducing carbon footprint of research
Member of Liaison Committee (researcher representative for the nat. committee of CNRS)
Member of the organization commitee of weekly Lab seminars (2015 – 2019)
OMNT expert for micro and nanosystems for life science (2017)