Testing gene therapies to help nerves heal after spinal cord injuries
Official title: Rapid In Vivo Screening of Combination Gene Therapies for Axonal Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10988849 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how mixing different gene therapies can help nerve cells heal after spinal cord injuries, with the hope of finding better ways to support recovery for people facing this challenge.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $437,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS135479-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10988849 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have experienced spinal cord injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with spinal cord injuries who are under 21 years old or those with conditions unrelated to nerve regeneration may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different combinations of gene therapies can promote the regeneration of nerve cells after spinal cord injuries. Using advanced techniques like CRISPR and next-generation sequencing, the study will screen multiple genetic targets in a mouse model to identify the most effective combinations for enhancing nerve regeneration. By comparing these combinations in a pooled manner, the researchers aim to find new strategies that could lead to better recovery outcomes for patients with spinal cord injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that significantly improve recovery and quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using gene therapies for nerve regeneration, but this approach of pooled in vivo screening is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Pengzhe — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Lu, Pengzhe
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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.