In short, yes! Researchers over at Pelling Lab have discovered that micro channeled vascular bundles inside of the stalks of asparagus can be used as a treatment for spinal cord injuries. These bundles which channel nutrients through the stalk of asparagus are structured in a rather similar way to a spinal cord. This discovery by Andrew Pelling is entirely unique way of approaching spinal cord injuries and how to go about treating them.
How does it work?
Firstly, they start by cutting a small piece of asparagus from the stalk. Subsequently, they then use a process called decellularization to strip the asparagus DNA away from the selected piece of asparagus, so all that is left are the natural fibers. Once the natural fibers are all that is left they then use this as a scaffolding model to nurture the patient’s own cells to grow through. After this process is completed they then insert the nurtured asparagus membrane into the spine in order to help treat the patient’s injury.
Pelling Lab’s Findings
After months of tests and theorizing, the first live test was to be completed on a mouse. The small rodent which had its spinal cord completely severed was due to have its surgery 8 weeks after becoming a paraplegic. What happened after the surgery completely shocked the team with their findings. Not only had the mouse regained feeling in its lower body, but it had also almost fully regained its ability to walk. In a recent TED TALK by Andrew Pelling, he stated that “this technology has just been designated a breakthrough medical device by the FDA. And this designation means that right now we're in the midst of planning human clinical trials set to begin in about two years.” Such news has many people involved in the medical field intrigued at Pelling’s findings but also excited about the possibility of a future without spinal cord injuries.
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