Devyani Goswami, Amity University Kolkata
Nerve injuries can leave an individual crippled for the rest of life. Although modern medical technologies can provide proper treatment, these do not ensure complete restoration and proper functioning of the damaged nerve. Researches through ACS Nano has reported finding an alternative. Conducting Polymer Hydrogel (CPH) can be used to fill in the gaps between the damaged nerves, this hydrogel is capable of conducting biochemical signals efficiently.
Conducting Polymer Hydrogel (CPH) consists of synthetic hydrogel P(DMAA-co-2,5%SSNa) and the conducting polymer (CP) poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT), which acts as a coating material for neural gaps. The cross-linked polymer has a 3D micro-porous network-like structure. CPH can attach to the surface covalently (stronger bond, cannot be broken easily), hence once implanted they can easily conduct nerve impulses. Apart from being non-toxic, it has high storage capacity and reduced impedance compared to any other hydrogel.
But there remain some major challenges, long-term functionality remains under question. To assure the long-term functionality of such implants, the neuroinflammatory response of the individual is reduced. “Persistent inflammation can lead to degradation or corrosion of the implant material, the loss of healthy neurons in the surrounding tissue, or the formation of an encapsulating layer can lead to the malfunctioning of the implant”, say the researchers.
The hope remains that these implants can restore various nerve-related diseases and can save a life. Although more researches are required to get the desired result.
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REFERENCE:
1) An interpenetrating, micro-structurable and covalently attached conducting polymer hydrogel for neural interfaces – Carolin Kleber, Michael Bruns, Karen Lienkamp, Jurgen Ruhe, Maria Asplund
2) Stretchable Conductive Hydrogel Developed That Could Help Repair Damaged Nerves – American Chemical Society (ACS)
Mammalian ‘Third-Eye’: vertebrate retinal regeneration
Shrayana Ghosh, Amity University Kolkata The team at Johns Hopkins concentrated on eye support cells for the analysis. The cells known as the Müller Glia in zebrafish is known to repair and respond to the light-sensitive retina by developing new cells in the central nervous system. Besides the regrowth of eye tissue, the regenerative abilities […]