In a recent scientific advance that promises to revolutionize the treatment of spinal cord injuries, a research group from the Madrid Institute of Materials Science (ICMM-CSIC) has developed an innovative and revolutionary hydrogel. This material allows neural cells to be grown under magnetic fields, thus allowing a targeted and efficient approach in the administration of treatments, opening a new avenue for recoveries from spinal cord injuries.

This work, published in the journal Acta Biomaterialia and funded by the European Union’s Pathfinder program, demonstrates that with the incorporation of nanoparticles, the hydrogel facilitates the precise delivery of nanomedicines to the injured site, optimizing the repair and regeneration of damaged nervous tissue. In addition, the hydrogel, by behaving as a three-dimensional matrix compatible with the spinal cord, provides the physical and chemical support necessary for the growth of neurons, something crucial for the repair of damaged tissue.

This advance represents a significant step towards the cure of spinal cord injuries, combining bioengineering and nanotechnology to recover neuronal function.