RCSI Researchers Develop RNA-Activated Implant to Stimulate Nerve Regrowth After Spinal Cord Injury
Researchers at the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have developed a novel implant designed to promote nerve regeneration following spinal cord injuries. The study, published in the journal Bioactive Materials, details how a 3D implant, mimicking the structure and flexibility of the spinal cord, combined with RNA-carrying particles, can encourage nerve cell regrowth.
The Challenge of Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries often lead to permanent paralysis due to the limited capacity of damaged neurons in the central nervous system to regenerate. While existing biomaterial implants can provide structural support at the injury site, they often fail to address the molecular obstacles hindering regrowth, according to RCSI.
How the New Implant Works
The RCSI team has created a multifunctional implant that not only provides physical support for regenerating tissue but also delivers RNA-based signals to stimulate neuron growth. These signals specifically target and suppress the PTEN gene, known to inhibit neuron regrowth after injury. By silencing PTEN, the implant removes a key internal barrier to repair within the cells.
Research Findings
“We’ve created an environment that both physically and biologically re-enhances the regenerative capacity of injured neurons, which is a key requirement for restoring function after spinal cord injury,” said Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor of Bioengineering and Regenerative Medicine, and Head of RCSI’s Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG). Laboratory tests demonstrated significantly enhanced neuron growth in models exposed to the RNA-activated implant.
Dr. Tara McGuire, a PhD student at TERG who contributed to the research, stated, “While this study focused on laboratory models, the next steps will be to test the approach in vivo and explore how RNA-activated biomaterials could help bridge damaged spinal cord tissue and restore lost connections.”
Previous RCSI Spinal Cord Injury Research
This development builds on previous work by TERG scientists, who last year created a different 3D-printed implant integrating nanomaterials into a gel-like structure to stimulate neuron and stem cell growth. In January 2026, RCSI researchers announced the development of a 3D-printed implant delivering electrical stimulation to injured spinal cord areas, offering another potential avenue for nerve damage repair.
Funding and Collaboration
The study was supported by the Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust, Research Ireland, the UK’s Anatomical Society, and the Irish Health Research Board. The research was a collaborative effort between RCSI’s Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG) and the Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research (AMBER).