Dancing molecules helped heal lab-grown spinal organoids in a new study.

Researchers applied a moving-molecule therapy to stem-cell spinal organoids and observed reduced scarring, lower inflammation, and neurite regrowth in injured tissue.

Researchers at Northwestern reported that a molecular therapy called "dancing molecules" repaired damage in lab-grown spinal organoids. Organoids are small tissue models grown from stem cells that mimic human organs and are used to test treatments. The team created organoids with common spinal injuries, including lacerations and compressive contusions, then applied the liquid therapy by injection. The treatment formed a scaffold, reduced inflammation and glial scarring, and was associated with neurite regrowth and organized neuron growth. What the study found: - The therapy reduced cell death and glial scarring in injured spinal organoids. - Injected liquid assembled into a scaffold and lowered inflammation at injury sites. - Researchers observed regeneration of neurites and the growth of neurons in organized patterns. - The injured organoids showed cell and scarring patterns similar to typical spinal cord injury. - The approach builds on earlier work from 2021 in which the same team treated paralyzed mice. Summary: The results indicate that moving supramolecular molecules can alter tissue responses and support structural regrowth in lab-grown spinal tissue. Authors reported plans to make spinal organoids more realistic and to use those models before advancing to human clinical trials. Undetermined at this time.