Funding awarded to develop 3D model of the spinal cord

UK researchers have been awarded funding to build a working 3D model of the spinal cord.

A team from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Aston University and the University of Edinburgh have been awarded a joint research fellowship to develop a working 3D model of the spinal cord, to improve understanding of the management of compressive spinal cord pathology.

The idea for the project came about following a discussion between colleagues about a patient presenting with a multi-level degenerative cervical spine with multi-level spondylolisthesis. Multiple vertebrae in the patient’s neck were compressing on each other and several of these vertebrae were pushed forward creating an unstable spine.