Progetto WfL- Wings for Life - Dott. Mainardi (DSB.AD004.352)
Area tematica
Area progettuale
Neuroscienze (DSB.AD004)Struttura responsabile del progetto di ricerca
Responsabile di progetto
MARCO MAINARDI
Telefono: 0503153162
E-mail: mainardi@in.cnr.it
Abstract
Recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) is hampered by the low regenerative potential of damaged nerve fibers. The transplantation of stem cells which have been treated to steer their maturation into neurons has been proposed to replace lost neurons and to support regeneration of spinal cord circuits supporting limb movement. However, the efficiency of their spontaneous maturation into neurons and integration into the existing spinal milieu is often sub-optimal. Recently, our team demonstrated that magnetic nanoparticles can be uptaken by neurons with no damage, thus making these cells responsive to the application of an extremely low-intensity magnetic field. The ensuing, extremely low mechanical force dramatically stimulated the elongation of axons - the neuronal processes that carry information and command the movement of muscles.
Obiettivi
Encouraged by these results, we are starting this project with the goal of applying this nanotechnology approach to boost stem cell-based spinal regeneration, something that had been never tried before because of the lack of appropriate enabling technologies.
We expect that the combination of nanoparticles and stem cell transplantation will enhance the
Data inizio attività
01/07/2021
Parole chiave
spinal cord injury, stem cells, nanoparticles
Ultimo aggiornamento: 19/04/2025