Irish researchers develop implant to help nerve regrowth in spinal cord injuries

Irish researchers have developed an implant that stimulates nerve regrowth for people with spinal cord injuries.

The researchers, who are based at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland’s University of Medicine and Health Sciences, developed the new implant that helps deliver tiny growth-promoting particles to injured nerve cells.

The RCSI say that spinal cord injuries can result in permanent paralysis as damaged neurons in the nervous system have a limited capacity to regrow.

To try and combat this, the research team developed a multifunctional implant that supports regenerating tissue, but also delivers RNA signals that encourage neurons to switch their growth mechanisms back on.

Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor of Bioengineering and Regenerative Medicine, commented on the development.

He said: “We’ve created an environment that both physically and biologically re-enhances the regenerative capacity of injured neurons, which is a key requirement for restoring function after spinal cord injury.

“In laboratory models of spinal cord injury, neurons exposed to the RNA-activated implant showed significantly enhanced growth.”

Dr Tara McGuire who carried out the research, said: “While this study focused on laboratory models, the next steps will to be to test the approach in vivo and explore how RNA-activated biomaterials could help bridge damaged spinal cord tissue and restore lost connections.”