Axon repair: surgical application at a subcellular scale

Nerve injuries, especially in the brain and spinal cord, often lead to permanent loss of function because nerve cells can't regenerate on their own. Researchers are exploring the use of tiny tools and materials at the micro and nanoscale to help address this issue. One approach involves creating nanoscale scaffolds that guide and encourage axon regrowth. Another focuses on developing miniature surgical devices to directly reconnect severed axons, essentially performing microsurgery at the cellular level. The concept is to physically rejoin the broken ends of axons, restoring their structure and function. This could lead to quicker recovery and preserve existing neural connections, offering an alternative to relying solely on axon regeneration.

• 1
  Nanomaterials can support axon regeneration by providing artificial constructs that replace the inhibitory environment in the CNS and PNS.
• 2
  Axon nanoknives can be used to precisely cut axons in vitro and in vivo, enabling targeted excision of axonal segments.
• 3
  Dielectrophoresis (DEP) can be used to manipulate and move axons in vitro, offering a non-contact method for cellular manipulation.