Key points from article :
Injuries to the brain/spinal cord don't heal easily due to the formation of fluid-filled cavities and scars that prevent tissue regeneration.
Researchers created an artificial cell environment that could promote the regeneration of nerves.
Showed that positively charged hydrogels can promote the survival and growth of stem cells.
Charge strength influences stem cell differentiation into nerve or glial cells.
Growth factor FGF2 increases the survival and division rate of the cells, but slows differentiation.
"In future, we intend to add peptides or matrix molecules to simulate the natural environment of the cells even more efficiently," - Kristin Glotzbach, co-author of the study.
Researchers also plan to develop 3D gels that could fill cavities after brain injuries.
Study by Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University, published in American Chemical Society Journal.
