In another example of Israeli scientists changing the world for the better, experts at Tel Aviv University (TAU) are preparing to perform the world’s first spinal cord implant.
Unlike most other bodily injuries, spinal cord injuries do not allow for cell regeneration. But the TAU scientists took blood cells and reprogrammed them through genetic engineering so they acted like embryonic stem cells. They took the cells and inserted them into a gel formed from collagen and sugars derived from fat tissue to “mimic the embryonic development of the spinal cord,” Prof. Tal Dvir, of TAU’s Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology, head of the Nanotechnology Center, and Chief Scientist of the biotech company Matricelf, explained.
He continued:
The spinal cord is made up of nerve cells that transmit electrical signals from the brain to every part of the body. When the spinal cord is torn due to trauma — from a car accident, a fall, or a battlefield injury — this chain is broken. Think of it like an electrical cable that’s been cut: if the two parts don’t touch, the electrical signal can’t pass. The cable won’t carry electricity, and in the same way, the person can’t transmit the signal beyond the site of the injury.
Neurons are cells that do not divide and do not renew themselves. They are not like skin cells, which can repair themselves after injury. They are more similar to heart cells: once damage occurs, the body cannot restore them.
“At the end of the process, we don’t just turn the cells into motor neurons — because cells alone won’t help us — but into three-dimensional tissue: neuronal networks of the spinal cord,” he said. “After about a month, we obtain a 3D implant with many neurons that transmit electrical signals. These 3D tissues are then implanted into the damaged area.”
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“About six months ago we received preliminary approval to begin compassionate-use trials with eight patients,” Dvir recalled. “We decided, of course, that the first patient would be Israeli. This is undoubtedly a matter of national pride. The technology was developed here in Israel, at Tel Aviv University and at Matricelf, and from the very beginning it was clear to us that the first-ever surgery would be performed in Israel, with an Israeli patient.”
The first implant should happen within a year. “Once we prove that the treatment works — everything is open, and we’ll be able to treat any injury,” says Prof. Dvir.
“Our goal is to help paralyzed patients rise from their wheelchairs. The animal model trials showed extraordinary success, and we are hopeful that the results in humans will be just as promising,” Dvir concluded.
The list of Israel’s contributions to medicine is a strong reminder of the cutting-edge nature of Israeli science. Here are some noteworthy examples:
Copaxone, a drug for multiple sclerosis developed by Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Rasagiline (Azilect): developed at Israel’s Technion to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Doxil: The first FDA-approved nanotechnology-based cancer drug, developed at the Hebrew University. It delivers chemotherapy directly to cancer cells.
Exelon: A medication for Alzheimer’s disease.
PillCam (Given Imaging) – A swallowable capsule camera that takes images of the digestive tract, revolutionizing endoscopy.
BrainsGate – A device that uses electrical stimulation to enhance drug delivery to the brain, helping stroke patients.
IceSense3 (IceCure Medical) – A cryoablation device used to freeze and destroy tumors, particularly in breast cancer treatment.
ElMindA – a brain-mapping system using EEG and machine learning to diagnose brain-related conditions (e.g., ADHD, concussion).
MeMed – a diagnostic platform that distinguishes between viral and bacterial infections within minutes, helping reduce antibiotic misuse.
V-Wave – A heart failure treatment device that regulates pressure inside the heart.