Currently Funded Project

Spinal Injury Project

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Spinal Injury Project  (SIP) 

The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation supports and funds The Spinal Injury Project (SIP), which is based at the Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) and the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD) at Griffith University.

The Spinal Injury Project is in pursuit of a cure and is working with a laser focus towards the ultimate goal – a Human Clinical Trial. 

This ground-breaking, world first project was pioneered by 2017 Australian of the Year, Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim and involves the transplantation of the patient’s own olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) from the nose into the spinal cord. This experimental treatment has shown promise in previous human clinical trials and now needs further refinement. 

The SIP team is reinventing and rethinking how cells can grow leading to the creation of new cell products. By combining advanced cell purification techniques and engineering, the team is designing three-dimensional nerve bridges that will help regenerate the spinal cord. 

These 3D cell constructs use newly invented, award winning technology involving 3D printed templates. This technology generates 3D nerve bridges that can be used to repair traumatic injuries. This methodology ensures patients receive optimal restoration of motor and sensory function and outcomes are as consistent as possible. 

This approach has recently been successfully tested in pre-clinical models and has shown promising functional outcomes. This incredible approach has the potential to result in the first widely available treatment for spinal cord injury and it is being developed here in Australia.

Learn more about the Rehabilitation Project
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Download the Spinal Injury Project project outline
Find out the latest news on the Spinal Injury Project (SIP)

Find out the latest on the Spinal Injury Project (SIP)

Currently Funded Projects

  • Institution:Griffith University
  • Lead Researcher:Dr James St John
  • PCSRF funding period:2020-2021
  • Total Funds Committed:$450,000
Currently Funded Project, Griffith University, Currently Funded Griffith
The Intensive Rehabilitation Trial funded by PCSRF will begin in early 2021 and is the next step towards finding a cure for paralysis.  Our goal is to conduct a Human Clinical Trial as part of the Spinal Injury Project and restore movement in people suffering with paralysis. However, before we can do this, we need […]
  • Institution:Griffith University
  • Lead Researcher:Assoc Prof. Jenny Ekberg
  • PCSRF funding period:2018 – 2022 (Ongoing)
  • Total Funds Committed:$450,000
Currently Funded Project, Griffith University, Currently Funded Griffith
This project, led by Assoc Prof Jenny Ekberg is about analysing how cells isolated from the nose – known as olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) – can clean up the ‘debris’ and bacteria that surrounds them. Up until now, the Spinal Injury Project has been focused around using the cells to create a 3D bio-degradable nerve […]

Clinical Trial Updates

Thankyou for your interest in the Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Transplantation to Repair Spinal Cord Injury Project (SIP)

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The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation is currently raising funds and awareness to support this project being conducted at Griffith University, under the supervision of Assoc Professor James St John. This exciting research project was pioneered by the 2017 Australian of the Year Professor Alan Mackay-Sim. 

At this stage we are collecting details from people that are interested in taking part in the trials, however we are unsure of the timeline for recruitment or any inclusion criteria. 

In the meantime, you can help us generate urgent support and awareness for this ground-breaking project by following us on social media and helping to spread the word about the project. Every bit of awareness and support will help us reach our goal – a cure for paralysis for all!

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