Syllabus:

GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life 

Context: Recently, scientists have shown that a special nanomaterial called graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) can stimulate brain cells without the need for electrodes, lasers, or magnets.

More on the News

• This pioneering research published in the peer-reviewed journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 
• The findings, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, show that graphitic carbon nitride promotes neuron growth, maturation, and communication by harnessing the brain’s own electrical activity. 

Key Findings

• The findings offer a promising non-invasive alternative for treating brain disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, which are on the rise globally with ageing populations.
• The material boosted dopamine production in lab-grown brain-like cells and reduced toxic proteins linked to Parkinson’s disease in animal models.
• Graphitic carbon nitride can naturally “talk” to neurons.
  o When placed near nerve cells, it generates minute electric fields in response to the brain’s voltage signals.
  o These fields open calcium channels on neurons, stimulating growth and strengthening connections between cells, without the need for any external device.

Potential Applications

• Neurological Therapy: This could be used to restore lost functions in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
• Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs): It offers a safer, minimally invasive pathway for developing next-generation BCIs.
• Drug-Free Stimulation: It reduces reliance on pharmaceuticals for certain brain-related conditions.

Advantages Over Conventional Methods

• Non-invasive: It eliminates surgical risks associated with deep brain stimulation.
• Cost-effective: It is potentially cheaper than electrode- or magnet-based devices.
• Scalable: It can be adapted for large-scale clinical use in future.

Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C₃N₄)

• Identification: It is identified by scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Structure: A stacked two-dimensional material with tris-triazine-based patterns, containing carbon and nitrogen atoms. 
• Electronic Properties: Electron-rich, with nitrogen atoms contributing to the valance band and carbon/nitrogen atoms contributing to the conduction band, allowing for visible light absorption. 
• Stability: High physical, chemical, and thermal stability, along with high abrasion resistance and hardness. 

Sources: 
PIB
Sciencedirect