International collaborations generate new EngNT papers

In 2017 we were involved in studies demonstrating further development of Engineered Neural Tissue (EngNT) technology. These included in vivo testing of EngNT made using differentiated dental pulp stem cells in collaboration with colleagues in Hasselt University in Belgium, and two papers exploring the use of different ECM materials and mesenchymal stem cells and Schwann cells in […]

Schwann cells and mesenchymal stem cells in laminin- or fibronectin-aligned matrices and regeneration across a critical size defect of 15 mm in the rat sciatic nerve

Gonzalez-Perez F, Hernández J, Heimann C, Phillips JB, Udina E, Navarro X (2017) Schwann cells and mesenchymal stem cells in laminin- or fibronectin-aligned matrices and regeneration across a critical size defect of 15 mm in the rat sciatic nerve. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, doi: 10.3171/2017.5.SPINE161100

The Effect of Hypothermic and Cryogenic Preservation on Engineered Neural Tissue

Day AGE, Bhangra KS, Murray-Dunning C, Stevanato L, Phillips JB (2017) The Effect of Hypothermic and Cryogenic Preservation on Engineered Neural Tissue. Tissue Engineering Part C Methods, 23, 575-582

Preservation methods for EngNT

Our paper published in Tissue Engineering Part C Methods explores protocols for the preservation of Engineered Neural Tissue (EngNT). This is an important consideration for translational development of the technology, where storage and transportation of living artificial tissue would be advantageous. The study identified hypothermic approaches suitable for short-term storage and cryogenic approaches for longer […]

Low frequency oscillating gradient spin-echo sequences improve sensitivity to axon diameter: An experimental study in viable nerve tissue

Kakkar LS, Bennett OF, Siow B, Richardson S, Ianuş A, Quick T, Atkinson D, Phillips JB & Drobnjak I (2017) Low frequency oscillating gradient spin-echo sequences improve sensitivity to axon diameter: An experimental study in viable nerve tissue. NeuroImage https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.07.060

Could clinical photochemical internalisation be optimised to avoid neuronal toxicity?

C. O’Rourke, C. Hopper, A.J. MacRobert, J.B. Phillips & J.H. Woodhams (2017) Could clinical photochemical internalisation be optimised to avoid neuronal toxicity? International Journal of Pharmaceutics 528, 133-143

UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering

The UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering was launched in May 2017 with a vision to create a multidisciplinary, inter-faculty research centre that translates diverse and complementary research in the physical and life sciences at UCL to clinical nerve repair. Our aim is to bring together scientific and engineering expertise from a broad range of disciplines […]

Stabilization, rolling and addition of other ECM proteins to collagen hydrogels improves regeneration in chitosan guides for long peripheral nerve gaps in rats

F. Gonzalez-Perez, S. Cobianchi, C. Heimann, J.B. Phillips, E. Udina, X. Navarro (2017) Stabilization, rolling and addition of other ECM proteins to collagen hydrogels improves regeneration in chitosan guides for long peripheral nerve gaps in rats. Neurosurgery 80, 465-474

Adapting tissue-engineered in vitro CNS models for high-throughput study of neurodegeneration

Caitriona O’Rourke, Charlotte Lee-Reeves, Rosemary AL Drake, Grant WW Cameron, A Jane Laughlin & James B Phillips (2017) Adapting tissue-engineered in vitro CNS models for high-throughput study of neurodegeneration. Journal of Tissue Engineering 8, 1-9.

Combining Gene and Stem Cell Therapy for Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering

Francesca Busuttil, Ahad A. Rahim and James B. Phillips (2017) Combining gene and stem cell therapy for peripheral nerve tissue engineering. Stem Cells and Development 26(4):231-238