Revolutionary DAO Research Offers Hope for Spinal Injury Recovery in Rats

Decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) HydraDAO asserts that its scientists have successfully employed an innovative method to mend severed spines in rats.

In a May 5 X post, the decentralized science (DeSci) initiative HydraDAO announced that one of its research endeavors resulted in “rats that had undergone complete spinal transection” regaining the ability to ambulate. Remarkably, the recovery following the procedure was reported to take merely five days.

The post included a video depicting partially shaved (likely due to surgical reasons) rats traversing what seemed to be a laboratory environment. The initiative in question is the Dowell spinal fusogens project spearheaded by Michael Lebenstein-Gumovski, which garnered 380,700 USDC (USDC) from supporters. The dedicated HydraDAO page states:

“The Dowell team put forth a project proposal to HydraDAO. After thorough evaluation and two peer assessments, HydraCore considers it beneficial for the HydraDAO community.”

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More than just illusions?

Fusogens are substances that can combine cell membranes and have been extensively studied as a method to reconnect damaged nerve fibers. One such substance is polyethylene glycol (PEG), known to facilitate membrane fusion and repair axonal membranes in various studies.

The Dowell team incorporates a biopolymer derived from crustacean shells known as chitosan, resulting in a PEG-chitosan compound referred to as neuro-PEG. This compound possesses photopolymerizability, enabling it to solidify swiftly with light exposure.

This presumably facilitates the creation of a robust scaffold that can securely bond the spinal cord more durably than liquid PEG-based solutions. Dowell also employs neuroprotective strategies such as localized hypothermia and cellular death inhibitors to avert additional damage to nerve tissue.

A 2023 study by Gumovski published in the peer-reviewed journal Surgical Neurology International indicated that pigs treated with this compound regained mobility within two months. The study’s conclusion stated:

“Neuro-PEG facilitates sensorimotor recovery after complete spinal cord transection. This paves the way for human trials, including spinal cord transplantation studies.”

The Dowell team has also submitted a patent for their developed technologies, with a 2022 Russian patent detailing a “method for restoring spinal cord functions following transection using a PEG-chitosan conjugate,” listing Lebenstein-Gumovski as one of its inventors.

The HydraDAO proposal indicates that “revenue streams might comprise specialized surgical kits priced between $3,500 and $20,000, depending on market conditions and location.” Moreover, the team is set to provide “comprehensive training and certification for neurosurgeons and emergency medical services” staff.

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Noteworthy affiliations

Gumovski is a neurosurgery researcher located in Russia (Stavropol State Medical University and associated institutes). He participated in Sergio Canavero’s head-transplant project, referenced in at least one pertinent paper.

Those articles were also published in Surgical Neurology International, while most major scientific publications avoided the subject. The neurosurgeon from Turin, Italy, asserted to have successfully performed a head transplant on a monkey back in 2016.

The team also conducted experiments on human cadavers in preparation for a 2017 live human head transplant, which never transpired. Neuroscientist Dean Burnett remarked at the time that head transplantation posed insurmountable challenges and that Canavero had “provided no viable explanation or scientific support for his assertions to overcome these challenges.”

While the Dowell team’s endeavor builds on established research and should not be dismissed lightly, it is difficult not to observe the parallels in making public claims that resemble those characterizing Canavero’s profession. Additionally, fusogens are well-researched and less sensational but similar outcomes have been documented by other research teams previously (2019 case from the University of Texas).

Will the paralyzed regain mobility?

The evidence presented is hopeful, but it is wise to proceed with caution, especially until several independent teams replicate the findings.

HydraDAO has committed to conducting supplementary electrophysiology experiments and utilizing tracing dyes to evaluate connectivity between the brain and lower spine. This additional data may bolster the validity of the research findings.

Nevertheless, more investigation is essential to determine whether it will culminate in a clinically applicable method for real-world spinal injuries.

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