THE RESEARCH

Our research is completely devoted to restoring function in humans. To achieve this goal, SCSNZ has established a modern research facility at the Centre for Innovation, University of Otago to develop a New Zealand based therapy for people with spinal cord injury. New innovative methods of spinal cord repair are being developed by using local and international expertise. Spinal Cord Society scientists are working to -

Move adult stem cell technology into medical practice in New Zealand

Extend the frontiers of medical knowledge

Develop safe and ethical treatments

One of the important aspects for our research is that we use human cells and human products rather than animal tissues and products. This is because our goal is to design procedures and protocols for cell transplantation into humans. The procedure will involve prior removal of cells from the bone marrow, or other tissue, the cells grown in a specially designated laboratory and when sufficient cells have been grown, the cells will be re-implanted into the damaged spinal cord to instigate repair. When the patient is the source of the cells (i.e., autologous), there is no danger of immunological rejection when they are re-introduced.

The major goal of repair of the damaged spinal cord (as opposed to rehabilitative measures) is to restore the transmission of information, and thus function, across the injury site. To achieve this, a multi-faceted approach will be required. Such a strategy will enable nerve cells to re-grow for long distances, guiding them straight across the injury site and into the normal healthy tissues on the other side. Two potential candidates for use of a combination therapy are olfactory ensheathing cells and bone marrow-derived stem cells. Both cell types can be obtained via a simple biopsy of the relevant tissues, expanded in the laboratory and introduced into the spinal cord as an autologous (self-to-self) cellular graft.

Cell labelling method