Recovering the damaged brain after haemorrhagic stroke
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: School of Health Sciences
Abstract
Approximately 152,000 strokes occur each year in the UK and one every two seconds worldwide (1). Half of all stroke survivors are left with a disability. Compared to ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke is associated with high mortality, greater disability and post-stroke co-morbidity, but is currently understudied. Furthermore there is no treatment for haemorrhagic stroke that results in full neuronal recovery due to the brain's poor self-renewing ability (2).
Brain regeneration approaches focus greatly on neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation to replace the damaged tissue. However, limitations that hamper the development of a successful stem cell therapy include, poor survival and reduced interaction and integration of the transplanted cells with the surrounding tissue (3, 4). Even if functional integration is facilitated, absence of appropriate architecture hinders the formation of reciprocal connections between the transplanted cells and host (5).
A possible solution to these limitations is the development of a hydrogel to promote survival and growth of the transplanted cells and to provide precise spatial cues for neuronal differentiation within the haematoma/perihaematoma after intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH).
This project combines 3D cell culture, biomaterial, stem cell and neuroscience expertise for the development of a successful stem cell therapy for ICH.
Brain regeneration approaches focus greatly on neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation to replace the damaged tissue. However, limitations that hamper the development of a successful stem cell therapy include, poor survival and reduced interaction and integration of the transplanted cells with the surrounding tissue (3, 4). Even if functional integration is facilitated, absence of appropriate architecture hinders the formation of reciprocal connections between the transplanted cells and host (5).
A possible solution to these limitations is the development of a hydrogel to promote survival and growth of the transplanted cells and to provide precise spatial cues for neuronal differentiation within the haematoma/perihaematoma after intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH).
This project combines 3D cell culture, biomaterial, stem cell and neuroscience expertise for the development of a successful stem cell therapy for ICH.
Planned Impact
Regenerative medicine aims to develop biomaterial and cell-based therapies that restore function to damaged tissues and organs. It is a priority of the University and the nation, and a central focus of the EPSRC challenge theme "Healthcare Technologies". It is also an MRC strategic priority, "Repair and replacement: to translate burgeoning knowledge in regenerative medicine into new treatment strategies". It is in recognition of the challenges associated with clinical translation of regenerative medicine that EPSRC, MRC, BBSRC and TSB jointly funded the £25m UK Regenerative Medicine Platform - UoM is a partner on all three funded national hubs: 'Engineering and exploiting the stem cell niche', 'Acellular technologies, 'Safety and efficacy'. Our Centre for Doctoral Training in Regenerative Medicine, and hub partnerships, will have major impact by delivering a cohort of highly training scientists and clinicians who can take regenerative medicine to the next level of therapeutic efficacy, and engage with these national hubs. This capability will enable the UK to retain its position as a world-leader in regenerative medicine.
Specific impacts include:
(i) Biomedical scientists, the UK regenerative medicine community and international colleagues
Major impact will be achieved by training our students in the scientific methods required to: understand how the microenvironment (niche) directs cells to remodel tissues; design (nano)materials that interact at a mechanical and biochemical level with cells and orient their behaviour; understand how inflammatory processes affect regeneration; translate this knowledge to patients.
Our students will have the outstanding opportunity of benefiting directly from, and contributing directly to all the national UK Regenerative Medicine Platform hubs.
Added value will be achieved through research collaborations and data/reagent sharing across the University of Manchester and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, nationally through the hubs, and internationally through our six world-leading doctoral centre partners.
The Centre's strong links with MIMIT (Manchester: Integrating Medicine and Innovative Technology; linked to CIMIT, Boston USA), which develops clinical solutions for tissue repair and related unmet clinical needs, and with the Manchester Collaborative Centre for inflammation Research, enable our students to develop new regenerative strategies that encompass inflammatory control.
(ii) Biopharma
The ability to direct the effective repair or regeneration of tissues is highly sought after by cell therapy/regenerative medicine/tissue engineering companies wishing to translate these discoveries to new therapeutic products, and to Biopharma to inform the design and delivery of niche-based biologics and MSC-based anti-inflammatory therapies. We have more than 30 industrial partners, attesting to the strength of our Centre plan.
Our students will be advised by the University of Manchester Intellectual Property (UMIP) in all aspects of commercialisation, e.g. selling/licensing of reagents, provision of research expertise, in-house assays/techniques, co-development of technologies or licensing of IP.
(iii) General Public
The Centre will be a powerful platform for the Centre students to inform the public about our regenerative medicine activities and therapeutic advances.
The students will write review articles for popular press and student science magazines; develop skills in communications and public engagement; participate in Manchester Science Week and internet fora; develop outreach materials to inform local, national and international audiences, and meet patient groups.
Specific impacts include:
(i) Biomedical scientists, the UK regenerative medicine community and international colleagues
Major impact will be achieved by training our students in the scientific methods required to: understand how the microenvironment (niche) directs cells to remodel tissues; design (nano)materials that interact at a mechanical and biochemical level with cells and orient their behaviour; understand how inflammatory processes affect regeneration; translate this knowledge to patients.
Our students will have the outstanding opportunity of benefiting directly from, and contributing directly to all the national UK Regenerative Medicine Platform hubs.
Added value will be achieved through research collaborations and data/reagent sharing across the University of Manchester and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, nationally through the hubs, and internationally through our six world-leading doctoral centre partners.
The Centre's strong links with MIMIT (Manchester: Integrating Medicine and Innovative Technology; linked to CIMIT, Boston USA), which develops clinical solutions for tissue repair and related unmet clinical needs, and with the Manchester Collaborative Centre for inflammation Research, enable our students to develop new regenerative strategies that encompass inflammatory control.
(ii) Biopharma
The ability to direct the effective repair or regeneration of tissues is highly sought after by cell therapy/regenerative medicine/tissue engineering companies wishing to translate these discoveries to new therapeutic products, and to Biopharma to inform the design and delivery of niche-based biologics and MSC-based anti-inflammatory therapies. We have more than 30 industrial partners, attesting to the strength of our Centre plan.
Our students will be advised by the University of Manchester Intellectual Property (UMIP) in all aspects of commercialisation, e.g. selling/licensing of reagents, provision of research expertise, in-house assays/techniques, co-development of technologies or licensing of IP.
(iii) General Public
The Centre will be a powerful platform for the Centre students to inform the public about our regenerative medicine activities and therapeutic advances.
The students will write review articles for popular press and student science magazines; develop skills in communications and public engagement; participate in Manchester Science Week and internet fora; develop outreach materials to inform local, national and international audiences, and meet patient groups.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Catherine Lawrence (Primary Supervisor) |
| Description | Facilitator at Science Spectacular event, Manchester Museum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The intended purpose of the activity was to introduce the subject of regenerative medicine to children and their parents/guardians using a variety of engaging, themed games. For example, we devised a stem cell board game that introduced participants to the basics of stem cell science e.g. 'stem cells can become more specialised to form various types of cell found in body tissues'. The outcomes included participants leaving with a greater understanding of the diversity of cell types found in the body, and why stem cells are exciting and particularly important for regenerative medicine researchers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Stem cell ethics study day for year 11 student, held at Manchester Museum. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The stem cell ethics day brought around 50 year 11 students together from the Greater Manchester region to discuss stem cell science, but more importantly to debate the ethical implications of stem cell research. The students worked through ethical 'questions' in small groups and presented their thoughts at the end of the workshop using a poster. Throughout the workshop, students were given supplementary information/shown videos covering various opinions and thoughts around stem cell science which they had to respond to or cover in their final presentations. The subject sparked real debate among the students (who came into the workshop quite reserved!), and lots of questions were asked both among the students and to facilitators of the event. The main outcome undoubtedly was that students gained an understanding of the potential of stem cell research but also of the variety of opinions and ethical arguments put forward by various groups e.g. religious, scientific, lay, patient. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Workshop for undergraduate students: 'What is regenerative medicine?' University of Manchester. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The 'What is regenerative medicine?' workshop was designed to inform and spark interest in 3rd year undergraduate students, on the subject of regenerative medicine. Researchers from a variety of research disciplines presented their research and held a Q&A about their research, or about life as a researcher more generally. The workshop sparked a lot of interest, with many students staying to ask more questions. The outcome was that undergraduate students nearing the end of their degrees and making choices about their next steps, left with a new understanding of a field of research that may not be covered by their lecture material. The students also had the opportunity to ask PhD students practical questions about applying/funding/doing research which is invaluable for those who do not have a relative/friend who has pursued postgraduate research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |