Spinal cord injuries often cause lasting disability because nerve cells do not regenerate well and scars stop fibres from growing. Current treatments use electrical stimulation but need implanted electrodes and the transplanted cells do not always survive or join well.
Researchers in Zurich made a new method that joins stem cells with magnetoelectric nanoparticles. The particles have an inner part that reacts to magnets and an outer part that makes electrical signals. The combined microrobots, called NPCbots, can be guided by magnets to the injury and stimulated without wires.
The team tested NPCbots in zebrafish and mice. Fish showed near‑normal swimming after three days and mice showed reconnection and better movement after 28 days. More studies are needed before human trials.
Difficult words
- spinal cord — the bundle of nerves inside the spine
- regenerate — grow or heal again after damage
- scar — a mark or tissue after an injury healsscars
- electrode — a metal piece that sends or receives electricityelectrodes
- stem cell — a cell that can become other cell typesstem cells
- nanoparticle — a very small particle, smaller than a cellnanoparticles
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you try a treatment that uses small robots and magnets? Why or why not?
- What is one benefit of stimulating an injury without wires?
- Why do you think more studies are needed before human trials?
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