Using light to control transplanted cells for spinal cord injury treatment
Official title: Near-infrared light controlled transplanted cells to treat spinal cord injury
Funded at University of Wyoming · NIH-11041194 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to use light to help special cells called Schwann cells, which can improve healing after spinal cord injuries, and it's being tested in rats to see how well it works before it can be used for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wyoming NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Laramie, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $216,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS137121-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041194 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries who may benefit from advanced cell therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic spinal cord injuries or those who do not qualify for cell transplantation may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a new technology that uses light to control transplanted Schwann cells, which are known to help improve recovery after spinal cord injuries. The researchers will test this technology in a rat model to see how effectively it can enhance the healing process. By engineering these cells to be more tolerant to the immune system and to have better protective properties, they hope to overcome challenges faced in human applications. The light used in this approach can penetrate deep into tissues, allowing for targeted treatment at the injury site.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery outcomes for patients with spinal cord injuries through more effective cell transplantation techniques.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of Schwann cells has shown promise in animal models, this specific approach using optogenetic control is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wyoming
Laramie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gomelsky, Mark — University of Wyoming
- Study coordinator: Gomelsky, Mark
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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.