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Development of minimally invasive neuromodulatory electroconductive hydrogel in combination with physical stimuli for spinal cord regeneration

Project description

A regenerative intervention for spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury is usually caused by trauma and affects millions of individuals worldwide. Currently, there are no proven approaches to restore function after spinal cord injury, with treatments mainly focusing on neuroprotection rather than regeneration. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MINECHPS-SCI project proposes to develop a combinatorial approach for enhancing regeneration in the spinal cord after injury. The strategy involves the injection of electroconductive hydrogels that contain neurotrophins to promote neuroplasticity and anti-inflammatory cytokines to reduce inflammation. The application of electrical and near-infrared laser stimulation will further trigger the regeneration of neurons and glial cells, potentially reversing spinal cord degeneration.

Objective

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating health conditions affecting circa 27.04 million people globally including 6.4 million Europeans with serious impact on the quality of life and socio-economic status of the patients. Existing regenerative and rehabilitation approaches are largely palliative and neuroprotective, targeting the spared neural tissue after injury with limited efficacy in regeneration. While the spinal cord has poor regenerative ability, the degenerative processes further complicate the SCI pathophysiology. Hence, no regenerative and rehabilitation approaches, individually, have resulted in complete and near complete functional recovery to date. To fully restore the injured spinal cord's functionality, a coordinated combinational approach addressing particular degenerative processes is necessary. Herein, the fellow proposes to develop a regenerative-rehabilitation combinational approach to maximize the functional regenerative outcome after SCI using minimally invasive injectable electroconductive hydrogels (ECHs) functionalized with neurotrophins (NTs) and anti-inflammatory cytokines in combination with electrical stimulation (ES) and near infrared (NIR) laser stimulation. ES and NIR laser through the ECH will be used to stimulate the neurons and glial cells to enhance regeneration and neuroplasticity as well as for on demand delivery of biologics to target the inhibitory processes. This proposal describes the project's multidisciplinary nature, execution and management of the project by the fellow and the multiple collaborators who will each provide the fellow with cutting-edge research skills. The goals of the fellow’s project place specific focus to ensure that the training of the fellow brings him to a level of competitive scientific excellence at international level.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01

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Coordinator

THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 215 534,40
Address
COLLEGE GREEN TRINITY COLLEGE
D02 CX56 Dublin
Ireland

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Region
Ireland Eastern and Midland Dublin
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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