Evanston, USA – Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Researchers have successfully created miniature human spinal cords in the laboratory and demonstrated their ability to regain function after using an experimental treatment known as "dancing molecules," boosting the prospects for a future effective treatment for paralysis.

The study, published in the journal *Nature Biochemical Engineering*, showed that the organelles (miniature versions of organs derived from human stem cells) were able to accurately mimic the biological response of an injured spinal cord. While simply producing these organelles was a significant achievement in spinal cord research, testing a previously proven treatment has added a new practical dimension to the research.

In this context, scientists at Northwestern University in Evanston, USA, believe that the nerves they have developed are "the most advanced models to date." These organoids are not merely models of the structure, but accurately reflect the changes that occur after injury, including cell death, inflammation, and the formation of scar tissue known as glial scarring, which physically and chemically impedes nerve regeneration. This was reported by the European news network Euronews in Brussels. The spinal cord is considered one of the most complex components of the nervous system, but unlike some lizards and amphibians, humans lack a natural mechanism for its regeneration. While some techniques have allowed for partial restoration of movement by circumventing the effects of damage, they do not represent a radical cure.

The importance of these organoids lies in their ability to allow for testing treatments on real human tissue more quickly and without the ethical complexities associated with animal models. They can also represent the human spinal cord more accurately than those of rodents, from which we are separated by millions of years of evolution.

How do these "dancing molecules" work? The demand for effective treatment is very high, with an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 people suffering new spinal cord injuries each year. Among the approaches being considered, "dancing molecules" therapy stands out—a gel made of nanofibers.

When injected at the site of injury, these molecules form a gel-like scaffold that sends signals stimulating cells to regenerate, then breaks down into nutrients that are absorbed by the cells. Researchers had previously shown that a single injection 24 hours after spinal cord injury in mice resulted in rapid recovery from paralysis.

In the new experiment, the team inflicted two types of injuries on the organelles, one mimicking a stab wound and the other a car accident. After the molecules were injected, the glial scarring faded significantly, and the nerve fibers grew in orderly patterns, similar to the axonal regeneration observed in animals.

"Apart from clinical trials, there is no other way to test treatments on human tissue in this way," said the treatment's developer, Northwestern University professor Samuel Stuppe. He emphasized that the results enhance the chances of successful treatment in humans.

A More Realistic Model… and Broader Prospects
Northwestern’s organoids are larger and more detailed than previous models, measuring approximately 3 millimeters in diameter after four months of growth. They are the first to include microglia, immune cells in the central nervous system that play a crucial role in inflammation and scar formation, making the model more realistic.

The team is currently focusing on developing more complex organoids by adding blood vessels and simulating past injuries, which will benefit individuals with previous injuries, not just those receiving treatment immediately after injury.

The researchers’ ambitions are not limited to the spinal cord. They believe that similar models could also be used to study traumatic brain injuries (TBI), thus expanding the scope of this scientific advancement to broader areas of neurology.