Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration

The main goal of our group is to develop rationally tuned biomaterials with the necessary signals to promote spinal cord tissue regeneration and function recovery.

The injured spinal cord fails to regenerate because:

• 1) Cellular «bridges» that can support axonal regeneration do not form naturally at an SCI lesion site.
• 2) Growth factors are not produced in the injured spinal cord to stimulate regeneration.
• 3) Injured CNS neurons do not fully express a «growth program» to recruit new regeneration.
• 4) The environment of the injured adult spinal cord inhibits regeneration due to the presence of inhibitory extracellular matrix molecules that form around the injury site and due to the presence of inhibitory proteins on adult myelin that block regeneration.

To produce new biomaterials and study cell-biomaterial interactions in a more physiological environment and in a high-throughput manner.

Our goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms of neuronal development and regeneration and to use this knowledge to develop translational approaches for repairing injured central nervous system (CNS) circuits. Our current research efforts are focused on a range of topics from basic discovery of ECM molecules that inhibit axon regeneration to late-stage rodent studies leading to human translation.

Our experimental techniques include cell biology, biomaterials simulation, design, synthesis and 3D printing fabrication, proteomics, in vitro assays, in vivo rodent models of SCI, electrophysiology, and behavior.

Staff members

Samuel I. Stupp

Severo Ochoa Distinguished Professor

sstuppibecbarcelona.eu

Researcher profile

• IH-0415 IMPACTOR Mouse/Rat
• DigiGait Imaging System – Mouse Only with Incline
• WPI Stereotaxic for mice, Digi and Portable, SGL M
• Electrode Manipulator without 1770 holder
• UltraMicro Pump and SmartTouch Controller
• Solo Controller with 50mm Single Axis
• Manipulator Adapter for Stoelting stereotaxic
• Rod Holder For Motorized Manipulator
• Impresora 3D Anycubic Photon M3 Premium

• Aitziber López Cortajarena 
  CICbiomagune
• Juan Alberto Ortega
  Universitat de Barcelona
• Evangelos Kiskinis
  Northwestern University
• Ivan R. Sasselli
  CSIC
• Maria Luisa Garcia Lopez
  Universitat de Barcelona