University of Limerick research demonstrates new method of spinal cord tissue repair
A NEW and unique material development at the University of Limerick (UL) has shown significant promise in the treatment of spinal cord injury.
Research which was conducted at the Bernal Institute in UL has made exciting progress in the field of spinal cord tissue repair.
New hybrid biomaterials developed at UL in the form of nanoparticles and building on existing practice in the tissue engineering field, were successfully synthesised to promote repair and regeneration following spinal cord injury, according to the researchers.
Associate professor at the School of Engineering UL Professor Maurice N Collins said: “Spinal Cord Injury remains one of the most debilitating traumatic injuries a person can sustain during their lifetime, affecting every aspect of the person’s life.
“The debilitating disorder results in paralysis below the level of injury and, in the US alone, the annual healthcare costs for SCI patient care are $9.7 billion.
“As there is currently no widely available treatment, continuous research into this field is crucial to find a treatment to improve the patient’s quality of life, with the research field turning towards tissue engineering for novel treatment strategies,” Professor Collins added.
The research team describe a growing interest in the use of electroconductive tissue-engineered scaffolds that have emerged due to the improved cell growth and proliferation when cells are exposed to a conductive scaffold.
"The impact that spinal cord injury has on a patient’s life is not only physical, but also psychological since it can severely affect the patient’s mental health, resulting in increased incidences of depression, stress, or anxiety.”
“Treating spinal injuries will therefore not only allow for the patient to walk or move again but will allow them to live their lives to their full potential, which makes projects such as this one so vital to the research and medical communities.
“In addition, the overall societal impact of providing effective treatment for spinal cord injuries will lead to a reduction in health care costs associated with treating patients,” Ms Serafin said.
This project was funded by the Irish Research Council in partnership with Johnson and Johnson as well as the Irish Fulbright Association, which enabled a research exchange with the University of California San Diego.
The faculty of Science and Engineering and the Health Research Institute at UL also provided support.