Stem Cells and Nanotechnology in Spinal Injury Repair: Difference between revisions

[[File:Stem-cells.jpg|150px|left]] Stem cells were explored for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system incorrectly saw the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells as foreign and began attacking this protective coating, resulting in damage to the nerve cells and leading to slowing of messages to and from the brain. The use of mesenchymal stem cells has been shown to repair this damage as well as repairing the immune system, preventing further attacks. These cells are found in several places in the humanoid body, including in bone marrow, skin, and fat tissue and they produce cells that help other stem cells to function correctly. The theory behind the application of this method is that a scientist expands the cells in a laboratory and injects them into the space surrounding the spinal cord (intrathecal) with an end goal of inhibiting immune response and augmenting tissue repair (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, n.d.).

[[File:Genetronicreplicator.jpg|100px|left]] Innovations in this field are fairly recent. The first functioning genetronic replicator was designed and constructed by Doctor Toby Russel in the mid-24th century. Dr. Russel's theory was that the device could scan a person's DNA and damaged organs, then using this information to replicate a new healthy organ. The first recipient to survive the use of this technology was a Klingon male, Worf, in 2368. He was struck by a falling container and, as a result, was partially paralyzed when the container broke his spine. In the case of the Klingon male, Dr. Russel proposed the replication of a new spinal column to give the male full mobility back. The patient nearly died during the operation, but survived due to redundancies in his biological systems. The process was later refined by Doctor Simon Tarses when it was used in combination with nanotechnology to repair the damaged portions of a Bajoran female's spine when it was severed by Taran'atar's attack (Memory Beta, n.d.).  

*[http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Genitronic_replication Genetronic Replication] - ''Memory Beta.'' (n.d.) Accessed Stardate 239405.17.

*[http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-News-Progress/Stem-Cells-in-MS Stem Cells in MS] - ''National Multiple Sclerosis Society''. (n.d.) Accessed Stardate 239405.17.