The University of California Los Angeles received a $2 million grant from The Marcus Foundation to support spinal cord injury research, according to a July 30 news release.
The grant money will be used to support Samatha Butler, PhD, who is leading research efforts to develop cell replacement theories for damaged neural circuits.
So far, her team has produced dorsal interneurons from the stem cells of mice, and testing found the cells are indistinguishable from their embryonic counterparts. With the funding, researchers will use extensive bioinformatics to explore new insights about human neuron development.
"Cutting-edge bioengineering and stem cell research in Dr. Butler's lab has the potential to restore function and feeling for individuals with spinal cord injuries," Bernard Marcus, founder and chairman of the board of The Marcus Foundation, said in the release. "Our investment in UCLA's regenerative medicine program aligns with our commitment to supporting groundbreaking medical research that can dramatically improve lives."