Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair
NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in debilitating deficits, including life threatening damage to the phrenic motor circuit controlling the diaphragm – the primary muscle of respiration. There are no therapies availblable for people with SCI that repair damaged circuits. While transplanting human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons can promote repair post-SCI, outcomes remain incomplete and inconsistent. Evidence from our team and others shows that ventral spinal progenitors, including V2a excitatory interneurons, integrate into injured circuits and improve respiratory function, while dorsal progenitors alone fail to do so. However, dorsal interneurons contribute to motor plasticity and may complement ventral transplants in a reparative strategy, suggesting that repair requires rebuilding both dorsal and ventral components of phrenic motor network and ensuring reliable host-donor-host connectivity. The central hypothesis of this project is that 1) ventrally and dorsally derived donor cells have distinct, complementary roles in network repair, and 2) that neuromodulation can enhance their integration to damaged networks. In Aim 1, we will determine the anatomical and functional integration of dorsal, ventral, and combined dorsal and ventral hPSC-derived transplants using viral tracing, 3D tissue clearing, and terminal diaphragm electromyography. In Aim 2, we will test whether daily chemogenetic neuromodulation strengthens donor activity, improves host-donor-host connectivity, and enhances respiratory recovery, using chronic diaphragm telemetry, plethysmography, and molecular (single nucleus RNA sequencing) profiling. By pairing engineered donor populations with neuromodulation, these studies directly address the critical challenge of variability in transplant outcomes. Results will establish a blueprint for consistent, circuit-specific repair of the phrenic network and accelerate the translation of interneuron-based cell therapies to restore breathing after cervical SCI.
Grant Summary
Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair is a NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke grant providing up to $717K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2031-08-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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How to Apply
Up to $717K
2031-08-31
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair from NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke before the deadline.
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Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair?
Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair is offered by NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair provide?
Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair provides up to $717K per award from NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair deadline?
Applications for Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair are due 2031-08-31 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair?
To apply for Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.