Almost 3 million people worldwide live with a spinal cord injury. So does Jamie. He is 5 years old and was paralyzed in a car accident. What if, one day, he could walk, play, dance again?
Laboratory studies have repeatedly shown that the Chondroitinase enzyme/protein can contribute to recovery after spinal injury. Among other effects, it helps dissolve the scar tissue that forms in the spinal cord after a lesion and promotes regeneration. Spinal Research (UK), who partners with the endParalysis foundation, has initiated a program to ready the therapy for human trials. One of the challenges is administering the enzyme to the human spinal cord safely and effectively. The Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience is working together with other labs in the UK to develop a vector (a carrier) that will enable a very precise and controlled delivery.
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