Category Archives: Biomaterials

The effects of a pro-angiogenic, RGD-functionalized, nanofiber composite biomaterial on mesenchymal stem cell-mediated repair of the injured spinal cord

Posted on June 30, 2019 by christalpowell

Abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in nervous tissue loss and so far untreatable functional impairments. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that a transplant of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) elicits paracrine effects resulting in anatomical repair and partial functional … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Research, Neuroscience Abstracts, spinal cord injury research, Stem Cell Research | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The effects of a pro-angiogenic, RGD-functionalized, nanofiber composite biomaterial on mesenchymal stem cell-mediated repair of the injured spinal cord

From wheelchair to walking after spinal cord injury

Posted on June 25, 2019 by christalpowell

Several paraplegics can now walk again – thanks to precise electrical stimulation of their spinal cords via a wireless implant and intensive neurorehabilitation. Speaking at Science Unlimited 2019, Grégoire Courtine illustrated this incredible spinal implant technology, as well as the … Continue reading →

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Regeneration of Spinal Cord Connectivity Through Stem Cell Transplantation and Biomaterial Scaffolds

Posted on June 16, 2019 by christalpowell

Authors: Hiroyuki Katoh, Kazuya Yokota and Michael Fehlings “In this review, we outline the pathophysiology of SCI that makes the spinal cord refractory to regeneration and discuss the research that has been done with cell replacement and biomaterial implantation strategies, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Research, Gene Therapy, Regenerative Medicine, spinal cord injury research, Stem Cell Research | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Putting 3D Printing to Work to Heal Spinal Cord Injury

Posted on June 9, 2019 by christalpowell

“For people whose spinal cords are injured in traffic accidents, sports mishaps, or other traumatic events, cell-based treatments have emerged as a potential avenue for encouraging healing. Now, taking advantage of advances in 3D printing technology, researchers have created customized … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, Regenerative Medicine, spinal cord injury research, Stem Cell Research | Tagged | 1 Comment

Restoring function after severe spinal cord injury through bioluminescence-driven optogenetic stimulation of spinal circuitry

Posted on March 6, 2019 by christalpowell

Authors: E. D. PETERSEN, A. PAL, J. ZENCHAK, E. D. SHARKEY, L. SHAFAU, A. PENA, M. PRAKASH, U. HOCHGESCHWENDER; Central Michigan Univ., Mount Pleasant, MI Lab Team Abstract: The ability to manipulate specific neuronal populations of the spinal cord following … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Research, Neuromodulation, Neuroscience Abstracts, Rehabilitation, spinal cord injury research | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Restoring function after severe spinal cord injury through bioluminescence-driven optogenetic stimulation of spinal circuitry

A novel biomaterial-based Epac targeting approach to promote spinal cord repair

Posted on February 3, 2019 by christalpowell

Authors: A. GUIJARRO-BELMAR, M. VISKONTAS, X. BO, D. SHEWAN, W. HUANG Lab Abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a highly debilitating trauma affecting millions of patients worldwide with no cure. The challenges for spinal repair include a lack of intrinsic … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Research, Neuroscience Abstracts, Regenerative Medicine, spinal cord injury research | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Biomimetic 3D-printed scaffolds for spinal cord injury repair

Posted on January 14, 2019 by christalpowell

Authors: Jacob Koffler, Wei Zhu, Xin Qu, Oleksandr Platoshyn, Jennifer N. Dulin, John Brock, Lori Graham, Paul Lu, Jeff Sakamoto, Martin Marsala, Shaochen Chen, Mark H. Tuszynski “Current methods for bioprinting functional tissue lack appropriate biofabrication techniques to build complex 3D micro architectures essential for guiding cell … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Research, Regenerative Medicine, spinal cord injury research, Stem Cell Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Nerve-on-a-Chip to Improve Functionality of Neuroprosthetic Devices

Posted on October 28, 2018 by christalpowell

Read about the neuroprosthetic advancement at MEDGADGETS: “Scientists at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have created a special device to be able to stimulate and record signals from and to peripheral nerve fibers on a specialty … Continue reading →

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Advantages of soft subdural implants for the delivery of electrochemical neuromodulation therapies to the spinal cord.

Posted on May 10, 2018 by christalpowell

Journal of Neural Engineering Abstract: OBJECTIVE: We recently developed soft neural interfaces enabling the delivery of electrical and chemical stimulation to the spinal cord. These stimulations restored locomotion in animal models of paralysis. Soft interfaces can be placed either below … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Research, Neuroscience Abstracts, Rehabilitation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A computational model of epidural electrical stimulation of the cervical spinal cord in non-human primates

Posted on April 27, 2018 by christalpowell

Abstract: Cervical spinal cord injury alters the communication between the brain and the spinal circuits controlling movement, often leading to tetraplegia. Epidural Electrical Stimulation (EES) of the lumbar spinal cord has shown promising results to restore leg motor control after … Continue reading →

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