Researchers Develop RNA-Activated Implant to Stimulate Nerve Regrowth After Spinal Cord Injury

Why It Matters

The approach combines physical support with gene‑silencing therapy, addressing both structural and molecular barriers to spinal cord repair, potentially transforming treatment for paralysis.

Key Takeaways

• Implant delivers PTEN‑siRNA to injured neurons.
• 3‑D scaffold mimics spinal cord stiffness.
• Lab models show enhanced axonal growth.
• IRFU‑CT panel guides patient‑focused research priorities.
• Future work targets in vivo functional recovery.

Pulse Analysis

Spinal cord injury remains one of the most debilitating conditions, with damaged neurons rarely regrowing due to both physical disruption and intrinsic molecular brakes. Among these, the PTEN gene acts as a potent suppressor of axonal extension, making it a prime target for regenerative strategies. Traditional biomaterial scaffolds provide structural support but lack the ability to modulate cellular signaling pathways, limiting their therapeutic impact.

The RCSI team’s RNA‑activated implant bridges this gap by embedding PTEN‑specific siRNA within a 3‑D printed matrix that mirrors the stiffness of native spinal tissue. Upon implantation, the scaffold releases the siRNA directly to neurons at the injury site, temporarily silencing PTEN and unlocking dormant growth programs. Laboratory models demonstrated markedly increased axon length and branching, suggesting that simultaneous mechanical and genetic cues can synergistically promote neural repair. This dual‑action design represents a novel convergence of tissue engineering and gene‑silencing technologies.

Looking ahead, the transition from bench to bedside will hinge on in vivo validation, safety profiling, and scalable manufacturing. Successful animal studies could accelerate regulatory pathways for advanced neuro‑regenerative devices, opening new market opportunities for biotech firms focused on spinal cord therapeutics. Moreover, the platform’s modular nature may allow adaptation to other central nervous system injuries, positioning it as a versatile tool in the broader landscape of neural regeneration research.

Researchers develop RNA-activated implant to stimulate nerve regrowth after spinal cord injury

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) · Edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Andrew Zinin · February 18 2026

Article

Researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have developed a novel implant that delivers tiny growth‑promoting particles directly to injured nerve cells, helping them to regrow after spinal cord injury. The study, published in the journal Bioactive Materials, shows how the 3‑D implant was designed to mimic the structure and stiffness of the spinal cord and carry particles engineered to transport RNA to neurons.

The work was led by researchers at RCSI’s Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG) and the Research Ireland Center for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research (AMBER).

Spinal cord injuries often result in permanent paralysis because damaged neurons in the central nervous system have a very limited capacity to regrow. While biomaterial implants can provide physical support at the injury site, these cells also face molecular barriers that prevent their regrowth.

To overcome this, the team developed a multifunctional implant that not only supports regenerating tissue but also delivers RNA‑based signals that encourage neurons to switch their growth mechanisms back on.

These signals target one such barrier, a gene called PTEN, which is known to suppress neuron regrowth after injury. By silencing PTEN at the injury site, the implant helps remove an internal barrier to repair in these cells.

“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 TERG.

“In laboratory models of spinal cord injury, neurons exposed to the RNA‑activated implant showed significantly enhanced growth.”

The research was developed with guidance from an advisory panel supported by the Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust (IRFU‑CT), bringing together people living with spinal cord injury, clinicians, neuroscientists and engineers to shape research priorities and ensure relevance to patients' real‑world needs.

“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,” said Dr Tara McGuire, who carried out the research as a Ph.D. student in TERG.

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Publication details

Tara K. McGuire et al., “Development of a PTEN‑siRNA activated scaffold to promote axonal regrowth following spinal cord injury,” Bioactive Materials (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.022

Key medical concepts: Spinal Cord Injuries; PTEN protein (human)

Clinical category: Neurology

Citation

Researchers develop RNA‑activated implant to stimulate nerve regrowth after spinal cord injury (2026, February 18). Retrieved 18 February 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-rna-implant-nerve-regrowth-spinal.html

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