“This is an extremely exciting time in spinal cord research and that fact is reflected in the broad scope of these 15 new grants and the cutting-edge tools and technologies the grantees are applying to the challenges of spinal cord repair,” said Susan P. Howley, Director of Research and Executive Vice President of CRPF.  “The number of applications the Foundation received from researchers all over the globe has surged over the last 18 months, and we believe CRPF is supporting some of the most promising research that will lead to treatments and cures for spinal cord injury.”

Every research application submitted to CRPF is reviewed by the Foundation’s Science Advisory Council, a panel of accomplished neuroscientists who volunteer their time and expertise to evaluate proposals based on scientific merit, relevance to CRPF’s research priorities, and promise for clinical application.  This rigorous process ensures that CRPF funds only the most meritorious science that is targeted at developing effective therapies for paralysis and dysfunctions caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders.

Of the $2.026 million awarded, $708,402 will support projects investigating the promotion of axon growth and remyelination and $420,000 will fund rehabilitation projects examining the link between training, ameliorative changes in the damaged cord, and improved function. Thirteen percent of the total funding, or $267,033, will be directed towards stem cell research.  Investigators exploring the growth inhibition of nerve cells were granted $74,250 and others looking at issues of concomitant function (for example, pain, and bowel, bladder and sexual function) were awarded grants totaling $257,095.  $150,000 will support studies exploring how to direct re-growing axons to reach their proper targets and then initiate communications with target cells (axon guidance, synapse formation and neurotransmission), and $150,000 is earmarked for neuroprotection (protecting spinal neurons and their supporting cast of cells in the wake of spinal cord injury). 

For the first time, CRPF has awarded a research grant to an Israeli scientist for his work on gene expression.  Dr. Mike Fainzilber, Ph.D., of the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, will receive a two-year grant of $149,600 USD to further his work on investigating changes in gene expression after injury to a nerve.  Dr. Fainzilber will identify changes in genes that are activated very early in the regenerative process, and attempt to modulate the injury-induced changes with the application of a unique peptide. Peptides are compounds made of two or more amino acids that combine to make proteins. The data generated using this model has the potential to identify new molecules important for regenerative growth and the potential to move the field forward in an innovative and significant way. 

“We were very glad to learn that CRPF decided to support this project, since we hope that once we know the full complement of these genes, researchers will find ways to bypass the system and activate them in nerves which cannot normally regenerate,” said Dr. Fainzilber. He added, “CRPF support is crucial to us for two reasons, firstly because without this financial support we simply would not be able to carry out the project, and secondly because it is very encouraging to know that we have the attention and hopefully future input and support from some of the best people in the field of nerve regeneration.”

CRPF’s Individual Research Grants are awarded twice yearly with application deadlines in June and December of each year. For a complete list of grantees or more information on CRPF’s research programs and the research projects that are funded, click here.