Project Details
Description
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The long-term goal of this research is to define the mechanisms of action of a successful cell
transplantation therapy for chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and to translate this knowledge from
bench to bedside for patients. Human SCI currently has no effective treatment, and any new
treatments would have a significant impact on public health. The overall objective of this
proposal is to determine whether transplantation of regionally specific bioprinted spinal neural
progenitor cells (sNPCs) in combination with a 3D printed scaffold can result in the formation of
functional neuronal networks within the injured adult rat spinal cord. We have three specific
aims. The first aim is to optimize the biomaterial and design of the 3D printed scaffold, as well
as the cell-laden bioink utilized in bioprinting. The second aim is to determine the optimal cell
configuration of two types of regionally specific sNPCs within the scaffold to form functional
neuronal networks. The third aim is to test our scaffold in a rat model of transection injury to
determine whether our cells can provide a relay system across the site of injury, and whether
this will result in functional recovery. We will perform detailed functional, histological, and
electrophysiological analyses to elucidate the mechanisms of our combinatorial treatment. The
scientific premise is that there is a synergistic relationship in providing the substrate (cells) for a
relay system across the injury site and optimizing this with a conduit (scaffold), providing an
effective relay for neuronal signaling leading to functional recovery.
Status | Active |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 9/2/21 → 6/30/24 |
Funding
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: $492,229.00
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: $74,284.00
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: $442,883.00
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: $406,971.00
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