A gel made from synthetic and natural sources could encourage growth of the neural stem cells when injected into a patient’s brain, according to research from Clemson University. Ning Zhang presented the gel at the Military Research Forum in Kansas City on September 2, 2009. Zhang says the gel has demonstrated an ability to reconstruct vascular networks at brain injury sites, such as those caused by trauma during combat.
The hydrogel is injected into the lesion site to direct the response of neural stem cells in the brain to regenerate normal brain tissue at the lesion site. Zhang predicts the procedure may be ready for human testing in about three years. The research is supported by a $220,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense.
- Four weeks after hydrogel treament on a lesion in a rat’s brain, a well-structured vasculature network was rebuilt. In this mosaic image, green is neurofilament staining for neurites and red is staining for blood vessels. Image by Clemson University
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September 3rd, 2009
