Long Term Neural Stem Cell Transplant to repair Spinal Cord Injury: neurogenesis, gliogenesis and axon persistence

Paul Lu PhD Associate Researcher University of California, San Diego

Paul Lu, PhD, Associate Researcher, University of California, San Diego – School of Medicine
My primary research focuses on gene therapy and neural stem cells for spinal cord injury. My early studies focus on ex vivo gene therapy with neurotrophic factors to promote axonal regeneration into a cell graft placed into the spinal cord lesion site. However, regenerated axons rarely exit from the graft. To enhance axonal exit from the graft, our team uses combinatorial approaches, including modifications of both the injured environment with neurotrophic factors, and intrinsic neuronal growth capacity by alteration of intrinsic neuronal gene expression. Both sensory and motor axons regenerate beyond the lesion site with such an approach.

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