Project Focus

The project focuses on the development of novel strategies for the treatment of stroke and spinal cord injuries using stem cells in combination with innovative biomaterials and advanced imaging technologies that can effectively monitor the effects of treatment. The project focuses on a few fundamental tasks. First, to optimize biomaterials for their use as carriers of cells into lesions after stroke or spinal cord injury. Second, to evaluate the regenerative effect of enhanced rehabilitation and behavioral tests in laboratory animals which underwent treatment. It also evaluates the possibilities of utilization of advanced techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound in the diagnosis of damaged nerve tissue and determination of treatment efficacy as well as the use of sophisticated protocols for optical imaging of tissue post mortem for determination of anatomical/structural effects of combination therapies in the damaged brain or spinal cord. Finally, based on its results, the project aims to develop novel therapies and diagnostic strategies for clinical translation.