Harnessing nerve-cell gene programs to repair the injured spinal cord
Defining and exploiting the plasticity transcriptome to repair the damaged spinal cord
Learning how nerve cells change their gene activity so adults with spinal cord injuries can regain movement after rehab and targeted treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235153 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will map the specific brain-to-spine motor neurons using viral tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing to create a detailed molecular and anatomical atlas of the adult corticospinal tract. They will compare how intensive rehabilitation and removing a growth-blocking signal (nogo receptor-1) change gene activity and promote axon growth in defined neuron subsets. By identifying the molecular switches that let some neurons regrow during rehab, researchers aim to develop targeted therapies to repair acute and chronic spinal cord damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with traumatic spinal cord injury and motor deficits—either recent (acute) or long-standing (chronic)—would be the most likely candidates for future therapies derived from this work.
Not a fit: People without spinal cord injuries, children, or those whose paralysis is due to non-corticospinal causes are unlikely to benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets that enable regenerative therapies to restore movement after spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies combining rehabilitation and blocking nogo receptor pathways have promoted axon growth, but translating those results into safe, effective human treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cafferty, William B. — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Cafferty, William B.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.