A researcher writing in the journal Neural Regeneration poses a potential solution to one of the greatest challenges in medicine: fighting neurological diseases. The author describes several new designs for 3D tissue constructs for using stem cells grown on nanofiber scaffolding within a supportive hydrogel.

"The idea that neural structure can be guided in three-dimensional hydrogels using nanofiber scaffolding and biochemical cues is quite unique," says Dr. Richard McMurtrey, author of the article. "Evidence from in vitro work thus far has been fairly surprising, showing that after only a few days neurons can grow long neurite extensions that track along the coated nanofibers."

McMurtrey suggests combining signaling molecules and three-dimensional topographical guidance along with stem cells, in order to give the cells a greater chance to achieve their intended function.

For example, transplanting cells into the nervous system is similar to dropping people off in the mountains with no resources and hoping they can survive and build a functional civilization, says McMurtrey.

"What we hope to do, however, is build some of the roads, bridges, street signs and homes that can guide and protect the cells when they are transplanted," McMurtrey says. “In this case, that infrastructure includes nanofibers, biochemical cues, and hydrogel composites."

The technology described in the paper could lend itself to other areas of medicine, like constructing and studying simple artificial neural networks, testing new drugs and investigating models of human neurological diseases on tissue-like structures in a dish.