DeSci Group HydraDAO Reports Five-Day Recovery For Rats With Transected Spines
Decentralized science project HydraDAO announced that researchers successfully restored mobility in rats with fully transected spines using a new treatment approach. According to a May 5 post on X, the rats were able to walk again just five days after surgery. The post included video footage showing partially shaved rats walking in what appears to be a laboratory environment.
The research was conducted through the Dowell spinal fusogens project led by Michael Lebenstein-Gumovski. This initiative raised 380,700 USDC from donors through HydraDAO, a crypto-funded decentralized autonomous organization. The project underwent two peer reviews before HydraCore deemed it worthy of community support.
The treatment uses a compound called neuro-PEG, which combines polyethylene glycol (PEG) with chitosan, a biopolymer derived from crustacean shells. The compound is photopolymerizable, meaning it can be solidified using light. This property potentially allows for creating a solid scaffold that welds the spinal cord more effectively than liquid PEG-based solutions.
The Dowell team also employs neuroprotection techniques including localized hypothermia and cellular death inhibitors to prevent additional nerve tissue damage. A 2022 Russian patent lists Lebenstein-Gumovski among inventors of a "method of restoring spinal cord functions after transection using a PEG-chitosan conjugate."
Lebenstein-Gumovski, a neurosurgery researcher based in Russia, previously worked with Sergio Canavero on controversial head-transplant research. Canavero gained attention in 2016 for claiming to have performed a successful head transplant on a monkey, though his proposed 2017 human head transplant never materialized.
While the Dowell project builds on established fusogen research, similar results have been reported by other teams. A 2019 study from the University of Texas, for example, documented comparable outcomes. HydraDAO has promised additional experiments including electrophysiology tests and tracing dyes to assess connectivity between the brain and lower spine.
The HydraDAO proposal suggests potential revenue streams including specialized surgical kits priced between $3,500 and $20,000, along with training and certification for medical personnel. However, independent verification of the results by multiple third-party research teams will be necessary before determining whether this approach can become a clinically viable technique for human spinal injuries.
The research occurs amid growing security concerns in the broader crypto and DeSci space. On May 3, Tron DAO reported its social media account was compromised, with attackers posting malicious content to 1.7 million followers. This follows similar incidents affecting Kaito AI, Pump.fun, and others, highlighting the ongoing challenge of maintaining security in decentralized research and funding environments.
