New Graphene breakthrough reverses paralysis
Proven in the labs Texas-PEG has already restored motor function in injured lab rats it isn't the first time that we're read about new breakthroughs that have repaired, and reversed serious paralysis but now Graphene, the super material that seems to have almost limitless potential has found another use case.
Key takeaways
- In a world first a team at Rice University has shown that the material could be key to a promising new treatment for patients with severe spinal cord injuries.
- Previous work has shown graphene can stimulate the growth of neurons, while Polyethylene Glycol, or PEG as it's often known has been shown, with limited success to heal damaged spinal cords in animals.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'New Graphene breakthrough reverses paralysis', 311 Institute, 21 September. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/new-graphene-breakthrough-gives-paralysed-patients-new-hope/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Proven in the labs Texas-PEG has already restored motor function in injured lab rats
it isn't the first time that we're read about new breakthroughs that have repaired, and reversed serious paralysis but now Graphene, the super material that seems to have almost limitless potential has found another use case. In a world first a team at Rice University has shown that the material could be key to a promising new treatment for patients with severe spinal cord injuries.
Previous work has shown graphene can stimulate the growth of neurons, while Polyethylene Glycol, or PEG as it's often known has been shown, with limited success to heal damaged spinal cords in animals.
Building on these two strands of research, researchers at the university used their chemistry knowhow to combine graphene nanoribbons, which were stripped from larger carbon nanotubes, with PEG to produce the curiously named "Texas-PEG". The amazing thing about this new material is that it acts as a much more potent "conductive scaffold" which helps to prompt the two ends of a severed spinal cord to repair and reconnect.
Most importantly though this isn't just theoretical.
In a recent animal study involving a rat with a severed spinal cord, treatment with Texas-PEG restored some function within just 24 hours and after just two weeks, the same rat was well on its way to a full recovery, displaying "almost perfect motor control."
While we're still a good way away from translating this early research into an available treatment for spinal cord injuries in humans the research has been lauded by the groups peers as "too promising to be minimized."
What this means for your organisation
A familiar material finds medical use.
Graphene has been shown to stimulate the growth of neurons. PEG has healed damaged spinal cords in animals, but with limited success. The Rice University team joined the two, using graphene nanoribbons stripped from carbon nanotubes. Our data rates graphene at TRL 8, with wide use by 2037.
The proof is early but concrete.
A rat with a severed spinal cord regained some function within 24 hours of treatment. After two weeks it showed almost perfect motor control. A human treatment is still a good way off, so this is a signal to track, not a plan to fund.
Materials strategy needs a wider lens.
Materials made to work with living tissue are on our Explore list, as are 2D materials. Bio-active materials sit at TRL 8, with wide use expected by 2035. Leaders in health, materials and insurance should set a light watch process now and review it as human trials appear.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our products or services would change if spinal injuries became treatable?
- Who in our business tracks graphene research outside our own sector?
- What evidence would make us move from watching to acting?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Proven in the labs Texas-PEG has already restored motor function in injured lab rats it isn't the first time that we're read about new breakthroughs that have repaired, and reversed serious paralysis but now Graphene, the super material that seems to have almost limitless potential has found another use case.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- promising new treatment news.rice.edu
- Spinal cord fusion with peg gnrs texaspeg neurophysiological recovery in 24 hours in rats surgicalneurologyint.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 21 September 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). New Graphene breakthrough reverses paralysis. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/new-graphene-breakthrough-gives-paralysed-patients-new-hope/
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