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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Presentation prize

PhD Student Melissa Rayner was awarded 1st Prize for her talk “Using advanced 3D engineered cell cultures to analyse the effect of drugs on peripheral nerve regeneration in vitro” at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute Research Away Day on 3rd November 2016.

UCL Special Grand Round lectures: now online

James Phillips joined UCL peripheral nerve surgeon Mr Tom Quick and a nerve injured patient to present a UCL Special Grand Round session in October 2015. This combination of interactive lectures and discussion entitled “Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: The science, surgery and experience of regenerative neuroscience” was open to the public and is now available to view […]

3R’s Prize for Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animal use in science

MSc Clinical Neuroscience student Charlotte Lee-Reeves was awarded the prize for the most innovative research that supported the 3Rs – Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animal use in science, at the 16th annual Queen Square Symposium. The event saw over 60 PhD and MSc students from the UCL Institute of Neurology exhibiting posters based on […]

New project optimising photochemical internalisation to avoid neuronal toxicity

Photochemical Internalisation (PCI) is a novel drug delivery technology founded upon Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). In PCI, low dose PDT can selectively rupture endo/lysosomal membranes by light activation of membrane-incorporated photosensitisers, facilitating intracellular drug release. PCI is currently being tested in patients at UCLH with advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing Bleomycin chemotherapy (more information). […]

New paper: Using adipose-derived stem cells to build artificial nerve tissue

Published in Biomaterials, the paper describes how stem cells from adipose tissue can be used to assemble engineered neural tissue (EngNT) for peripheral nerve repair. Organising adipose stem cell-derived Schwann cells within collagen hydrogels generated a robust cellular material. The cells adopted an aligned phenotype in the EngNT, increased their production of a range of […]

‘Ask an Expert’ interview

James was interviewed by Dr Claire Cox from Axol as part of her ‘Ask an Expert‘ blog series.

Doctoral Training Programme in Medical Device Innovation

We are offering a PhD project as part of the DTP in Medical Device Innovation, an exciting new 4 year postgraduate qualification run by the UCL Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBME) that combines an MRes in Medical Technology Entrepreneurship with a three year research project. The research project title is Combining tissue engineering, biomaterials and […]