Improving Cell Transplants for Spinal Cord Conditions
Trimodal Vitality Imaging of Neural Progenitor Cells in the Spinal Cord
This project aims to create new ways to see and track transplanted cells in the spinal cord, which could help people with conditions like ALS or spinal cord injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10842447 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many spinal cord conditions, like ALS and spinal cord injury, cause significant challenges. One promising approach involves transplanting special cells called neural progenitor cells into the spinal cord to help repair damage. However, it's currently hard to tell if these transplanted cells survive or stay in the right place after injection, which can lead to treatments not working as hoped. This project is developing new imaging tools, using technologies like ultrasound and MRI, along with special markers, to help doctors precisely place these cells and then watch them over time. This will help us understand why some cell therapies succeed and others don't.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals with spinal cord injuries or conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis who might receive cell transplantation therapies in the future.
Not a fit: Patients not currently considering or eligible for cell transplantation therapies would not directly benefit from this specific imaging technology development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective cell transplantation therapies for spinal cord diseases by ensuring cells are delivered correctly and survive.
How similar studies have performed: While cell transplantation for spinal cord conditions has shown promise in some early studies, the ability to precisely monitor these cells in living patients is a novel and largely untested aspect of this approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia Institute of Technology — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Emelianov, Stanislav Y — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Emelianov, Stanislav Y
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.