Australian scientists discover power of gel in brain treatment

A simple gel with miraculous capabilities has been discovered by Australian scientists as a potential treatment for people suffering brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease and strokes.

A SIMPLE gel with miraculous capabilities has been discovered by Australian scientists as a potential treatment for people with brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease and stroke patients.

The novel method of implanting the new hydrogel into the brain to repair damaged tissue has been discovered by researchers at Deakin University and the Australian National University.

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The hydrogel – a gel containing stem cells and held together largely by water – offers a sanctuary for cells and could replace existing and less effective treatments.

Co-lead author and Deakin School of Medicine senior lecturer in medical biotechnology Richard Williams said cell transplantation – where new cells were implanted to help the body repair itself – was one of the most promising treatments for a raft of injuries and diseases.

The new technique has been tested with mouse brain cells and has been published in the journal Advanced Function Materials.

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“Cell Replacement Therapy is an attractive treatment option for neurological injury and disease, whereby replacement cells are implanted into the site of injury to regenerate and repair the neural network of the brain, providing immediate relief with longer term repair,” Dr Williams said.

“However, the development of these kinds of treatments has been held back because the cells don’t survive the process. They are also delicate, expensive and difficult to grow in sufficient quantities. If we could improve the number that survive and grow into new tissue, then we can move this technology forward into a practical therapy,” he said.

That’s where Dr Williams’ new hydrogel comes in. Working with colleagues Professor David Nisbet and Dr Yi Wang from ANU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, Dr Williams has built an artificial scaffold that tricks the cells into believing that they are in a normal, healthy environment.

Dr Williams said that by mimicking brain tissue, the hydrogel not only protects the cell during its journey through the syringe but also helps the cells thrive in the brain.

The team has now secured funding to develop their work further.