Understanding how spinal cord axons can repair themselves after injury
Official title: Patch-based deep scRNA-Seq to understand axon repair in the mammalian spinal cord
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10999657 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how nerve cells in the spinal cord can heal after an injury, using special technology to understand what helps them grow back, which could lead to better treatments for people with spinal cord injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $494,186 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS139527-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10999657 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have experienced a spinal cord injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with spinal cord injuries who are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind axon regeneration in the spinal cord following traumatic injury. By utilizing advanced single-cell RNA sequencing technology, the study aims to identify molecular and cellular factors that influence the ability of neurons to regenerate. The approach involves analyzing specific types of neurons to develop a classifier that predicts their regenerative potential, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injuries. Patients may benefit from insights gained about enhancing axon repair and recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve recovery and functional outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using single-cell RNA sequencing to understand neuronal regeneration, making this approach both innovative and grounded in prior successes.
Where this research is happening
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University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Binhai — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Binhai
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.