Israel is preparing to conduct the world’s first-ever human spinal cord implant using a patient’s own cells, a groundbreaking advancement that researchers believe could enable paralyzed individuals to stand and walk again, Tel Aviv University announced on Wednesday. The surgery, expected to take place in Israel within the coming months, represents a historic moment in regenerative medicine.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 15 million people worldwide suffer from spinal cord injuries, the majority of which are caused by traumatic incidents such as falls, traffic accidents, or violence.
Currently, there is no complete cure for spinal cord injuries. Most treatment strategies focus on stabilizing the patient, preventing additional harm, and preserving as much function as possible. Emergency responses often include immobilizing the spine, reducing swelling, and occasionally performing surgery to stabilize fractures or relieve built-up pressure on the spinal cord.
Rehabilitation usually involves a combination of physical and occupational therapy, as well as the use of assistive devices such as wheelchairs and supportive braces. While researchers have been exploring experimental treatments—including stem cell therapies, robotic devices, and neurostimulation—there is still no consistently effective solution for restoring full spinal cord function.
Spinal cord injuries are particularly difficult to treat because, unlike many other tissues in the human body, the spinal cord does not naturally repair itself. The structure of the tissue is extremely complex and highly sensitive, making regeneration even more challenging.
“The spinal cord transmits electrical signals from the brain to all parts of the body. When it is severed by trauma—such as a car accident, a fall, or a combat injury—the chain is broken. Think of an electrical cable that has been cut: when the two ends no longer touch, the signal cannot pass, and the patient remains paralyzed below the injury,” explained Professor Tal Dvir, head of the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology and the Nanotechnology Center at Tel Aviv University, who is leading the project. Dvir is also the chief scientist at Matricelf, the Israeli biotechnology company behind the development.
Unlike other nerve tissues, spinal cord neurons cannot regenerate on their own, and scar tissue that forms after injury further blocks communication between the brain and the body. The upcoming procedure seeks to replace the damaged portion of the spinal cord with a laboratory-grown implant, allowing the engineered tissue to integrate with healthy nerve fibers above and below the injury. In preclinical trials, rats receiving the implants regained their ability to walk normally.
This medical breakthrough was developed over three years ago when Dvir’s team successfully engineered a personalized, three-dimensional human spinal cord in the lab. Findings published in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Science showed that mice with chronic paralysis regained mobility after receiving the experimental implants.
The procedure begins by collecting blood cells from the patient and reprogramming them into stem-cell-like cells capable of transforming into any tissue type. Additionally, fat tissue is harvested to create a customized hydrogel scaffold, where these reprogrammed cells are grown into a spinal cord structure. Once fully developed, the engineered spinal tissue is implanted to replace the damaged region and reconnect the nervous system.
Several months ago, Dvir and his team received initial approval from Israel’s Ministry of Health to begin “compassionate use” trials on eight patients, making Israel the first country in the world to attempt this groundbreaking procedure. “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,” Dvir said.
The technology was commercialized through Matricelf, a biotech company founded in 2019 under a licensing agreement with Ramot, Tel Aviv University’s technology transfer company.
“This milestone marks the shift from pioneering research to patient treatment. Using each patient’s own cells eliminates key safety risks and positions Matricelf at the forefront of regenerative medicine. This first procedure is more than a scientific breakthrough; it is a step toward transforming an area of medicine long considered untreatable,” said Matricelf CEO Gil Hakim.
He continued, “If successful, this therapy could define a new standard of care in spinal cord repair, addressing a multi-billion-dollar market with no effective solutions today. We are proud that Israel is leading this global effort and are fully committed to bringing this innovation to patients worldwide.”
Professor Dvir expressed optimism about the upcoming trials, stating, “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.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
