From Gizmodo, posting about a recent development showing possible healing properties of a blue dye:

This rat's skin is blue and its color may be the secret to avoid spinal cord injuries and paralysis.

Here, the verb needs to be in the present progressive form: avoiding.

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5324102/this-blue-rat-may-have-the-secret-to-avoid-spinal-cord-injuries