Light-Activated Neurons from Stem Cells Restore Function to Paralyzed Muscles
From: Medical Design Technology - 04/04/2014

A new way to artificially control muscles using light, with the potential to
restore function to muscles paralyzed by conditions such as motor neuron
disease and spinal cord injury, has been developed by scientists at UCL and
King’s College London.

The technique involves transplanting specially-designed motor neurons created
from stem cells into injured nerve branches. These motor neurons are designed
to react to pulses of blue light, allowing scientists to fine-tune muscle
control by adjusting the intensity, duration, and frequency of the light
pulses.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2014/04/light-activated-neurons-stem-cells-restore-function-paralyzed-muscles

Links:
Linda Greensmith
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion/departments/sobell/Research/LGreensmith
http://www.cnmd.ac.uk/research/research_groups/Linda_Greensmith

Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion/departments/sobell