The researchers collaborated with the Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust, bringing together an advisory panel to guide the study.
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences researchers have developed a 3D-printed implant that helps repair spinal cord injuries.
Spinal cord injury is a life-altering condition that can lead to paralysis, loss of sensation and chronic pain. In Ireland, more than 2,500 people are living with spinal cord injury.
However, no treatment currently exists that can effectively repair the damage.
To find a solution, RSCI’s Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG) teamed up with Amber Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research.
The team used ultra-thin nanomaterials from Prof Valeria Nicolosi‘s lab in Trinity College Dublin’s School of Chemistry and the Amber Centre, which are normally used for applications such as battery design. This material was then integrated into a soft gel-like structure using 3D printing techniques.
The resulting implant mimics the structure of the human spinal cord with a fine mesh of tiny fibres that can conduct electricity into cells.
Researchers found that by stimulating neurons and stem cells for seven days with electrical signals from the implant, they were able to enhance the cells’ ability to grow and repair. The study was published today (15 July) in the Advanced Science journal.
“Promoting the regrowth of neurons after spinal cord injury has been historically difficult, however, our group is developing electrically conductive biomaterials that could channel electrical stimulation across the injury, helping the body to repair the damaged tissue,” said Prof Fergal O’Brien, the deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation and professor of bioengineering and regenerative medicine at RCSI and the head of RCSI TERG.
“The unique environment provided by the Amber Centre, which sees biomedical engineers, biologists and material scientists working together to solve grand societal challenges, provides a major opportunity for disruptive innovation such as this.”
Dr Ian Woods, a research fellow at TERG and the lead author of the study said, “These 3D-printed materials allow us to tune the delivery of electrical stimulation to control regrowth and may enable a new generation of medical devices for traumatic spinal cord injuries.
“Beyond spinal repair, this technology also has potential for applications in cardiac, orthopaedic and neurological treatments where electrical signalling can drive healing.”
The researchers collaborated with the Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust on the project, bringing together an advisory panel that would oversee and guide the study. This panel included injured rugby players, clinicians, neuroscientists and researchers.
“Through their expertise, the advisory panel helped deepen our understanding of the lived experiences of individuals with spinal cord injuries, their treatment priorities and emerging treatment approaches,” said Woods.
“Our regular meetings allowed for a consistent exchange of input, ideas and results.”
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