A team at Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology at Tel Aviv University developed functional spinal cord tissues and implanted them in lab models that featured chronic paralysis.
The technology behind the breakthrough uses patient tissue samples, transforming it into a functioning spinal cord implant via a process that mimics the development of the spinal cord in human embryos.
According to Professor Tal Dvir, who led the study, the team’s technology is based on taking a small biopsy of belly fat tissue from the patient. This tissue, like all tissues in our body, comprises cells together with an extracellular matrix (comprising substances like collagens and sugars).
Prof. Dvir explained: “After separating the cells from the extracellular matrix, we used genetic engineering to reprogram the cells, reverting them to a state that resembles embryonic stem cells – namely cells capable of becoming any type of cell in the body. From the extracellular matrix...