The Neuromuscular Physiology and Neural Interfacing Laboratory (n-squared lab) is a leading research facility dedicated to understanding neuromuscular function and advancing neural interfacing technologies. The lab investigates the development and control of human movement in both healthy and paralyzed individuals using state-of-the-art experimental and analytical methods.
A central focus of the n-squared lab is the acquisition and analysis of neural and electrophysiological signals with high spatial and temporal resolution from the central and peripheral nervous systems of humans, non-human primates, and other animal models. These insights are leveraged to develop neural interfaces that decode movement intentions and enable the control of virtual systems (e.g., computers and smartphones) as well as assistive technologies for everyday life and neurorehabilitation.
The n-squared lab spans the full spectrum of research, from fundamental science (Technology Readiness Level 1) to application-oriented research and demonstrators (Technology Readiness Level 5), thereby facilitating the translation of scientific discoveries into clinically relevant technologies and competitive spin-offs.
- Neuromuscular Physiology
- Musculoskeletal Model
- Neural Interfacing
- Neuromechatronics (Neuroprosthetics and -orthotics)
- Souza de Oliveira D., Ponfick M., Braun D., Oßwald M., Sierotowicz M., Chatterjee S., Weber DJ., Eskofier B., Castellini C., Farina D., Kinfe TM., Del Vecchio A.:
A direct spinal cord–computer interface enables the control of the paralysed hand in spinal cord injury
In: Brain 147 (2024), p. 3583-3595
ISSN: 0006-8950
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae088
URL: https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awae088/7631714
BibTeX: Download - Simpetru R., Braun D., Simon A., März M., Cnejevici V., Souza de Oliveira D., Weber N., Walter J., Franke J., Höglinger D., Prahm C., Ponfick M., Del Vecchio A.:
MyoGestic: EMG interfacing framework for decoding multiple spared motor dimensions in individuals with neural lesions
In: Science Advances 11 (2025)
ISSN: 2375-2548
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ads9150
URL: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads9150
BibTeX: Download - Oßwald M., Cakici A., Souza de Oliveira D., Braun D., Farina D., Del Vecchio A.:
Task-specific motor units in the extrinsic hand muscles control single- and multidigit tasks of the human hand
In: Journal of Applied Physiology 138 (2025), p. 1187-1200
ISSN: 8750-7587
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00911.2024
BibTeX: Download - Del Vecchio A., Jones RH., Schofield IS., Kinfe TM., Ibáñez J., Farina D., Baker SN.:
Interfacing Motor Units in Nonhuman Primates Identifies a Principal Neural Component for Force Control Constrained by the Size Principle
In: The Journal of Neuroscience 42 (2022), p. 7386-7399
ISSN: 1529-2401
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0649-22.2022 - Del Vecchio A., Negro F., Holobar A., Casolo A., Folland JP., Fella F., Farina D.:
You are as fast as your motor neurons: speed of recruitment and maximal discharge of motor neurons determine the maximal rate of force development in humans
In: The Journal of Physiology 597 (2019), p. 2445-2456
ISSN: 0022-3751
DOI: 10.1113/JP277396 - Del Vecchio A., Casolo A., Negro F., Scorcelletti M., Bazzucchi I., Enoka R., Felici F., Farina D.:
The increase in muscle force after 4 weeks of strength training is mediated by adaptations in motor unit recruitment and rate coding
In: The Journal of Physiology 597 (2019), p. 1873-1887
ISSN: 0022-3751
DOI: 10.1113/JP277250 - Del Vecchio A., Sylos-Labini F., Mondi V., Paolillo P., Ivanenko Y., Lacquaniti F., Farina D.:
Spinal motoneurons of the human newborn are highly synchronized during leg movements
In: Science Advances 6 (2020), p. eabc3916
ISSN: 2375-2548
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc3916 - Del Vecchio A., Farina D.:
Interfacing the neural output of the spinal cord: Robust and reliable longitudinal identification of motor neurons in humans
In: Journal of Neural Engineering 17 (2020), Article No.: 016003
ISSN: 1741-2560
DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab4d05 - Ting JE., Del Vecchio A., Sarma D., Verma N., Colachis SC., Annetta N., Collinger JL., Farina D., Weber DJ.:
Sensing and decoding the neural drive to paralyzed muscles during attempted movements of a person with tetraplegia using a sleeve array
In: Journal of Neurophysiology 126 (2021), p. 2104-2118
ISSN: 0022-3077
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00220.2021
Feel free to read our other Publications.
2025
Decoding and training spared motor neuron activity in children with paralyzed hands
(Third Party Funds Single)Project leader:
Term: 1. July 2025 - 31. December 2026
Acronym: PlayAgain
Funding source: EU / European Research CouncilWe have recently identified single motor neuron activity in humans with spinal cord injury and stroke resulting in complete loss of hand function. We have then demonstrated that these individuals can control with high levels of precision the spared motor neurons ensemble in real-time, up to four degrees of freedom of the hand. We have now collected pilot data in children (
2024
A Direct Sensorimotor Connection with the Spared Neural Code of Movement to Regain Motor Function
(Third Party Funds Single)Project leader:
Term: 1. January 2024 - 31. December 2028
Acronym: GRASPAGAIN
Funding source: EU / European Research CouncilEmbedded artificial intelligence for neuromuscular orthoses
(Third Party Funds Single)Project leader:
Term: 1. March 2024 - 28. February 2027
Acronym: NOE-EMY
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR)Intuitive Steuerung von Rollstühlen mittels hochaufgelöster Muskelsignale
(Third Party Funds Single)Project leader: ,
Term: 1. September 2024 - 31. August 2027
Acronym: EMGRoll
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR)
2023
Decoding the Exact and Representative Motor Output of the Human Spinal Cord
(Third Party Funds Single)Project leader:
Term: 2. November 2023 - 1. November 2029
Acronym: DeMOTUS
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Emmy-Noether-Programm (EIN-ENP)Development of an innovative neurobandage with an integrated brain-computer interface for testing hand function
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. October 2023 - 31. October 2026
Acronym: NeurOne
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie (StMWi) (seit 2018)Teilvorhaben: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Entwicklung und Kontroller personalisierter Neurorehabilitation für die Hand durch virtuelles Feedbackgesteuert durch neuronale Signale
Term: 1. May 2023 - 4. April 2026
Acronym: MYOREHAB
Funding source: BMFTR / VerbundprojektRestoring hand function with neuromuscular restrictions using an intelligent neuroorthosis
(Third Party Funds Single)Project leader:
Term: 1. December 2023 - 31. May 2026
Acronym: GraspAgain
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie (StMWi) (seit 2018)
2022
Individual fatigue and recovery of motor neurones of the shoulder muscles in pistol shooting
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. May 2022 - 31. January 2023
Acronym: AIMING
Funding source: Bundesministerium des Inneren (BMI)
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