Lab-Grown Human Spinal Cord Shows Recovery After Injury

Scientists at Northwestern University have made a breakthrough by developing a lab-grown human spinal cord model capable of simulating spinal injuries and testing a promising regenerative treatment. The model mimicked key aspects of spinal cord injury, including inflammation and scar formation. When treated with 'dancing molecules', a prior animal study therapy, significant nerve regrowth and scar reduction were observed. These findings suggest a potential therapy for spinal cord injuries in humans. This study, published on February 11 in Nature Biomedical Engineering, indicates the possibility of using such organoids to test therapies effectively and affordably.