Forskargrupp Traumatic injuries to the nervous system frequently lead to permanent disability, with few effective treatment options currently available. Our research group focuses on developing innovative treatment strategies based on biomaterials, cell therapy, antioxidants, and neurotrophic factors to restore functions after spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury.
Research focus
The primary research focus is the design of biofunctionalized hydrogels and cell-based therapies that can aid in repairing injury sites, stimulating axonal regeneration, reducing neuroinflammation, and promoting functional recovery in experimental models of spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury. We have developed extracellular matrix–enriched hydrogels derived from decellularized peripheral nerve tissue, which provide structural support and a growth-permissive environment that encourages axonal bridging across lesion sites.
Another line of research investigates the use of chitosan nanoparticles combined with microRNAs to downregulate inflammatory responses, promote neuronal survival, and enhance regeneration following injury. More recently, the group introduced a new research direction using antioxidant-derived carbon dots, a form of carbon-based nanomaterial, to deliver neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agents to the nervous system. In collaboration with colleagues in chemistry and nanotechnology, these studies aim to create multifunctional nanoplatforms capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier and promoting regeneration in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.
In our group, we combine cell culture models and molecular biology with advanced methods in experimental neuroanatomy, biomaterials engineering, and modern imaging methods such as MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to monitor axonal regeneration.
