In the intricate web of our nervous system lies a critical pathway that connects our brain to the rest of our body: the spinal cord. However, when this crucial conduit is damaged, the consequences reverberate deeply, resulting in motor and sensory disabilities that can irreversibly alter lives. Spinal cord traumas, often arising from accidents or injuries, bring about both the loss of tissue volume and the disruption of essential axonal tracts responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. This interruption often results in severe motor disabilities, affecting movement and coordination, as well as sensory disabilities, hampering the ability to perceive touch, pain, and temperature. Sadly, the natural healing process falls short due to the limited compensatory plasticity of the neural tissue. Thus, the body’s innate ability to bounce back from such injuries is hindered, leaving patients grappling with the repercussions. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability, with a significant portion attributed to motor and sensory impairments. Moreover, around 17,700 new SCIs occur annually in the United States alone; with the majority affecting young adults aged 16 to 30.
Thus, realizing the immense need for innovative solutions to alleviate such suffering and improve the quality of life for those living with these disabilities, Stéphane Woerly, a visionary leader with a deep understanding of neuroscience and a passion for biomaterials came to the forefront. After earning his medical degree from the University of Strasbourg in France, Stéphane headed to Ottawa, Canada, where he pursued a Ph.D. program in Neuroscience at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, with a specialization in experimental neurosurgery. It was there that he became captivated by the immense potential of macromolecular chemistry in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. This fascination led him to explore the development of artificial extracellular matrices as the groundwork for organ repair, believing that biomaterials science could revolutionize neurosurgery. Driven by this vision, Stéphane delved into the realm of polymer-based biomaterials, viewing them as a promising therapeutic strategy for repairing spinal cord injuries.
