Understanding how immune cells help spinal cord healing
Official title: Immune regulation of spinal cord regeneration
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11081776 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells help heal spinal cord injuries by using zebrafish, which can naturally repair their spinal cords, to find out what makes their healing process work, with the hope of finding ways to improve recovery for people with similar injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $103,226 |
| NIH project number | 5K99NS133484-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081776 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who have experienced spinal cord injuries and are seeking innovative therapeutic options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with spinal cord injuries that are not amenable to regenerative therapies or those with other complicating health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of immune cells, specifically microglia and macrophages, in the regeneration of the spinal cord following injury. By studying zebrafish, which can naturally regenerate their spinal cords, the research aims to identify the specific immune pathways that promote healing. The approach involves analyzing the behavior and gene expression of these immune cells to understand their contributions to recovery. This could lead to new insights into how to enhance spinal cord regeneration in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve recovery from spinal cord injuries in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding immune responses in model organisms can lead to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, suggesting a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaw, Dana Nicole — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Shaw, Dana Nicole
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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.