In a just published research paper in Advanced Functional Materials [19, 3543-3551 (2009)], investigators at the University of Texas at Austin disclose a new technique that can improve the way researchers approach repairing damaged nerves in the clinic.
In a just published research paper in Advanced Functional Materials [19, 3543-3551 (2009)], investigators at the University of Texas at Austin disclose a new technique that can improve the way researchers approach repairing damaged nerves in the clinic.
This method, which emerged from a collaborative effort between Professor Christine Schmidt and Ph.D. student Stephanie Seidlits from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Professor Jason Shear from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is able to direct neurons along three-dimensional paths in culture.
Such research could lead to the development of new materials designed to guide nerves in the body after injury to recreate functional connections. This technique, based on a process known as multiphoton excited photochemistry, provides several distinct advantages for patterning pathways for cells that mimic those seen in the body, including high spatial resolution and three-dimensionality. Specifically, the authors demonstrated that when these pathways were created inside of materials based on hyaluronic acid, a natural tissue component, they could successfully guide neurons along precise pathways in three dimensions. “I am delighted to read the latest results from Professor Schmidt’s laboratory” says Professor Peppas, Chair of Biomedical Engineering. “These most promising studies open new avenues of advanced medical treatment and underline once more the leading national position of our Department in this field”.
