Spinal cord injuries have long been considered permanent because neurons in the central nervous system lack the natural ability to regrow. However, researchershave developed a novel, 3D-printed implant that could change that.
The study details a multifunctional scaffold designed to mimic the spinal cord’s physical structure while delivering tiny RNA-loaded particles. These particles “silence” a specific gene called PTEN, which acts as a biological brake on nerve regrowth. By removing this internal barrier and providing physical support, the implant significantly enhanced neuron growth in laboratory models, offering a new path toward restoring function after paralysis.
