In Germany, researchers at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz developed a new technique to facilitate the differentiation of stem cells into neurons, enabling them to accelerate the maturation process. They used a hydrogel to create a stiffness-controlled scaffold for artificial brain tissue that furthermore stimulates the development of neurons. The team subsequently plans to investigate how hydrogel-based biomaterials can be injected into severely damaged brain regions in order to improve brain tissue regeneration. Over the long term it is hoped it will be possible to provide help to stroke victims or those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Marcelo Salierno of the Institute of Physiological Chemistry at the Mainz University Medical Center is heading up the project and said in their press release, “The next step would be to modify the hydrogel so that it would be possible to inject it into damaged brain regions. These are the very first steps along a very ambitious path but we believe that in the near future those suffering from neuronal degeneration will benefit from our discovery.”