ReNEU

Degeneration within the nervous system, either caused by trauma (e.g. Spinal Cord Injury – SCI), disease (e.g. Parkinson’s Disease – PD) or infection (e.g. Malaria), is a significant health problem that is yet to be efficiently tackled, due to the limited available treatment options. Having this in mind, the ReNEU team has a strong translational nature, being focused on the generation of innovative therapies for nervous system regenerative medicine with a particular focus on trauma related injuries and degeneration caused by disease or infection. For this purpose, we will use the present and future acquired know-how on the pathophysiology of these nervous system-related conditions to establish targeted regenerative medicine strategies that go beyond the current therapeutic options. This overall aim is based on research activities within on four main thematic areas: (1) Stem Cells and Biomaterials Biotechnology, with a focus on the combinatory use of stem cells and their derived biological products (e.g. secretome) with biomimetic hydrogels to enhance regeneration. (2) Molecular Therapies, with a focus on the study of new molecules that can enhance neuroprotection and/or trigger the intrinsic capacity of nervous system cells to initiate reparative processes. (3) Enabling Technologies, with a focus on the development of innovative medical devices that respect the temporal dynamics of the injury/disease allowing a more effective application of the strategies established in 1,2. (4) Basic mechanisms of injury/degeneration, with a focus on better understanding key aspects of the pathophysiology of CNS trauma and degeneration, allowing a more targeted development of the strategies referred in 1,2.