Weekly Signal: 04

Table of Contents

• Weekly Signal

• Innovator Spotlight

• Neurohack Nexus

• The Reading Corner

• Academic Resources

• Neurotech Calendar

• Complete our community challenge

• Refer a Neurohacker

• Help us Improve

🧠 Weekly Signal

neurotechnology. Every week, we handpick the most impactful stories shaping the future of brain science, neuroengineering, and cognitive technology. Whether you're a researcher, enthusiast, or industry professional, Weekly Signal keeps you connected to the pulse of the neurotech world.

Let's cut through the noise this week!

🟢 EPFL Develops Soft Brainstem Implant for High-Resolution Hearing

Published: April 2025
Source: EPFL News

Researchers at EPFL have developed a soft, flexible brainstem implant that conforms to neural tissue, aiming to restore high-resolution hearing for patients who cannot benefit from cochlear implants. Tested in macaques, the implant minimizes side effects and delivers clearer "prosthetic hearing" for auditory brainstem implant (ABI) users.

🔹 Why it matters:
Existing ABIs often deliver low-quality hearing. This innovation could drastically improve life quality for patients with profound hearing loss who have no other surgical options.

🔹 Big picture:
Soft bioelectronic interfaces represent a major step toward more natural, less invasive neural prosthetics.

🧬 Precision Neuroscience’s Layer 7 BCI Receives FDA Clearance

Published: April 18, 2025
Source: Fierce Biotech

Precision Neuroscience secured FDA clearance for its Layer 7 Cortical Interface, a minimally invasive brain-computer interface featuring 1,024 electrodes on a hair-thin film. The device allows high-fidelity neural recording and stimulation for up to 30 days, expanding safe clinical use of BCIs.

🔹 Why it matters:
Layer 7 provides a safer, scalable path toward neuroprosthetics and cognitive restoration, especially for patients with paralysis.

🔹 Backstory:
Founded by Neuralink co-founder Benjamin Rapoport, Precision is backed by investors like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, positioning it as a major Neuralink competitor.

🧪 CRISPR-Engineered Microglia Target Alzheimer's Disease

Published: April 2025
Source: UC Irvine 

Scientists engineered human microglia cells using CRISPR to produce enzymes that degrade beta-amyloid plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease. These therapeutic microglia detect disease-specific changes and release treatment proteins directly at affected brain regions.

🔹 Why it matters:
Instead of broad treatments, this method provides highly targeted, brain-wide therapeutic delivery—potentially slowing or reversing disease progression.

🔹 Big picture:
Cellular engineering could open an entirely new frontier for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

🤖 Spinal Stimulation and Robotics Enable Movement After Paralysis

Published: March 2025
Source: Science Robotics

Researchers combined spinal cord stimulation with robotic rehabilitation to restore real-time muscle control in patients with paralysis. The system synchronizes robotic movements with neural stimulation to enable smoother, more natural motion—both indoors and outdoors.

🔹 Why it matters:
This approach not only improves mobility but also allows rehabilitation in more natural, everyday environments.

🔹 Big picture:
Merging neuroprosthetics and robotics could redefine therapy and independence for spinal cord injury patients.

👁️ Neurotech Pharmaceuticals Appoints Beth Marsh as Chief Commercial Officer

Published: April 21, 2025
Source: Business Wire

Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, a leader in chronic eye disease therapies, named Beth Marsh as Chief Commercial Officer. She will spearhead the launch of ENCELTO™, their cell-based gene therapy for treating Macular Telangiectasia Type 2 (MacTel).

🔹 Why it matters:
ENCELTO™ is the first FDA-approved therapy targeting MacTel—a major advancement for a currently underserved patient population.

🔹 Big picture:
New leadership aims to drive commercialization of regenerative therapies beyond traditional drug models.

⚡ Innovator Spotlight

​In our Innovator Spotlight, we celebrate members of The NeuroCircuit community who are pushing the boundaries of neurotechnology. Each week, we feature a subscriber who has successfully completed our latest Community Challenge. Their innovative approach and dedication exemplify the spirit of collaboration and discovery that drives our community forward.

🛠️ Neurohack Nexus: Live Neurotech Project Repository

The Neurohack Nexus is a continuously updated, open‑source library of neurotechnology projects—complete with code, schematics, step‑by‑step tutorials, and community contributions. Whether you’re a beginner tinkering with your first EEG hack or an advanced builder crafting custom BCI extensions, the Nexus brings together the resources and collaborative spirit you need to learn, build, and innovate.

📚 Reading Corner (2025)

Curious minds, this one’s for you. Whether you're exploring the mechanics of BCIs, diving into neural engineering, or reflecting on the ethical frontiers of brain science—our curated list of neurotech reads has you covered.

But we’re just getting started—help us expand the list!
👉 What books would you recommend? Share your top picks in our 1-click survey and help shape the future of the NeuroCircuit library.

🎓Academic Resources

Whether you're applying for a master’s in neuroengineering, seeking PhD programs with BCI research, or hunting for summer research internships, our academic resources are your go-to launchpad.

We’re curating a growing list of academic programs, research fellowships, and internship opportunities around the globe. And we’d love your help!

📢 Know a great program, lab, or opportunity?
Share it with the community using our short-survey below 👇️ 

📅 Upcoming Events (2025)

Stay informed about upcoming neurotech conferences and networking opportunities around the world:

Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS) 2025 Annual Meeting
📍 Boston, Massachusetts, USA | March 29–April 1, 2025

NeurotechEU Symposium 2025
📍 Bonn, Germany | May 13, 2025

Neural Interfaces 2025
📍 Arlington, Virginia, USA | June 12–14, 2025

2025 Neurotech Leaders Forum
📍 Location TBA | November 5–6, 2025

Society for Neuroscience 2025 Annual Meeting
📍 San Diego, California, USA | November 15–19, 2025

Maudsley Neurotechnology Conference 2025
📍 King's College London, UK | Dates TBA

Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) 2025
📍 San Diego, California, USA | December 2025

🎯 Community Challenge

Ready to take neurotech to the next level? Share your insights, projects, ideas, our upcoming list of NeuroHacks, or your own groundbreaking work—and watch the inspiration ripple across the community!

How to Participate

1. Create a Post
   Show us what you’re working on—DIY projects, research breakthroughs, or even your latest neurotech musings.

2. Use #NeuroCircuitChallenge
   This helps your ideas reach fellow enthusiasts and potential collaborators.

3. Tag The NeuroCircuit
   We’ll be on the lookout for standout contributions to feature in our upcoming Innovator Spotlight!

4. Mention @HackTheNeuron
   Tag us directly in your post so we never miss your entry—and we’ll amplify your work across our entire NeuroCircuit community!

Why Join?

• Boost Your Reach: Tap into a niche but fast-growing community for extra visibility.

• Build Your Network: Connect with researchers, developers, and curious tinkerers who share your passion.

• Shape Neurotech’s Future: Your project or insight could spark the next big breakthrough—or inspire someone else’s.

We can’t wait to see your creativity in action! Fire up X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and spread the word. Let’s spark innovation together!

🚀Recruit More Neurohackers

Your referrals are the engine that drives our community forward. Share your unique referral link with friends, colleagues, or fellow neurotech enthusiasts—and watch us grow together!

• Spread the Word: Copy your personal referral link and post it on social, forums, or in emails.

• Unlock Exclusive Perks: Every friend who subscribes through your link brings you closer to special rewards—insider insights, private Discord access, early project previews, and more.

• Be the Catalyst: The more you share, the stronger our network becomes. Help us build the ultimate neurotech hub—one referral at a time!

✍️Help Us Improve

Your input is what will make The NeuroCircuit and Hack The Neuron better. Let us know what you’d like more of—and what we can do differently.

• Share Your Ideas: Tell us which topics, features, or formats you’d love to see next.

• Spot the Gaps: Let us know if anything’s missing or unclear in our content and community tools.

• Shape the Experience: Whether it’s new challenges, tutorials, or platform features, your suggestions guide our roadmap.