Engineering Hope: The Breakthrough That Could Heal Spinal Cord Injuries

A pioneering team led by Prof. Tal Dvir may be on the verge of restoring mobility to the paralyzed through lab-grown spinal cord tissue

Spinal cord injuries are among the rare injuries in the human body that do not have the natural potential to regenerate, owing to the central nervous system's (which includes the spinal cord) lack of capacity for post-damage self-repair. This subject has been researched for a long time, and recent findings suggest that there may be new hope for the paralyzed.

Following a three-year research where Prof. Tal Dvir and his team succeeded in engineering a human spinal cord for the first time in their lab, the results are showing more promise. As the latest experiments in animals proved to be successful, the moment of truth has arrived: conducting the first surgery in humans, which could return a paralyzed person to their feet within about a year. Matricelf, a biotech company that Dvir co-founded and serves as CSO, is driving the development. The company was founded in 2019 as part of a license agreement with Ramot, Tel Aviv University's commercialization company, and is based on Dvir and his team's pioneering organ engineering technology developed at the university.

Prof. Tal Dvir | Photo By: TAU

The neurons that cannot repair themselves

Prof. Dvir, in addition to Matricelf, is a man of many titles. Aside from his position as a senior lecturer at the Life Science Faculty's Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, he holds several directorships, including his own Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, the Tel Aviv University Center for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, and the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology.

Prof. Dvir's work in regenerative medicine is driving our present spinal cord research initiative. "The spinal cord is made up of nerve cells that send electrical impulses from the brain to the rest of the body,” he told Eitan Gefen in a recent interview with ynet about the lab’s breakthrough. Prof. Dvir explains that the decision is made in the brain, the electrical signal flows from the brain to the spinal cord, and neurons arise from there, activating muscles throughout the body. "Neurons are non-dividing and non-renewing cells. They differ from skin cells, which can regenerate themselves after being harmed. They're like heart cells in that once damaged, the body can't restore it."

So, how does spinal cord regeneration technology function in this scenario? Prof. Dvir explains, "We collect adipose tissue from patients and separate various substances such as collagens and sugars. Using these elements, we produce a unique gel. We take the cells that have been converted into embryonic stem cells, place them in this gel, and simulate spinal cord embryonic development.”e.

Photo by: Canva

Creating a near to real spinal cord 

Prof. Dvir began developing the technology several years ago, when it was tested in the heart and other tissues. It was only in 2018 that the study team began using it on the spinal cord. According to him, the concept is simple to grasp but difficult to apply. "The goal is to create a small piece of spinal cord that behaves similarly to a real spinal cord. That modified tissue can be implanted in the affected location. We remove all of the scar tissue, inject it, and eventually fuse the new tissue to the areas above and below the injury.”

He continues, "If we return to the idea of the torn electrical line, in this case, we have two torn sections of cable that can conduct power, but there is a space between them. When you place a conductor in that location, both parties can continue conversing. That's what we do with the tiny tissue we create. We just make this tissue and implant it in the injured location to promote fusion and allow the electrical signal to pass through properly."

Other significant figures are also involved in this initiative: Matricelf CEO, Gil Hakim, co-founder Dr. Alon Sinai, as well as Dr. Tamar Harel-Adar and her team lead scientific development. "They managed to get us to the point of receiving the approvals so quickly, and that's amazing," states Prof. Dvir. "The technology has long proven suitable for persons who are chronically paralyzed. However, in order to avoid starting with the most challenging instances, we will begin with patients who have had recent injuries (up to around a year). After we demonstrate that the treatment works, we can proceed to any injury."