1
2
Mouse with a spinal
cord injury
Designer molecules
introduced
Dissolved nanofibres are injected at the site of injury - the liquid turns into a gel as soon as it comes into contact with the tissue
The nanofibres are able to move back and forth allowing them to make contact with neurons at the injury site
3
4
Matrix forms at the
injury site
Partial repair to
spinal cord
Signalling between the nanofibres and the surrounding tissue triggers the regeneration of neurons and promotes the growth of blood vessels that helps encourage tissue repair
Within three to four weeks there are visible changes to the tissue and the mice regain the ability to walk. Within 12 weeks the injected nanofibres have biodegraded and then completely disappear from the body
Mouse with a spinal
cord injury
Designer molecules
introduced
Matrix forms at the
injury site
Partial repair to
spinal cord
Dissolved nanofibres are injected at the site of injury - the liquid turns into a gel as soon as it comes into contact with the tissue
The nanofibres are able to move back and forth allowing them to make contact with neurons at the injury site
Signalling between the nanofibres and the surrounding tissue triggers the regeneration of neurons and promotes the growth of blood vessels that helps encourage tissue repair
Within three to four weeks there are visible changes to the tissue and the mice regain the ability to walk. Within 12 weeks the injected nanofibres have biodegraded and then completely disappear from the body