Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Injuries to the spinal cord can have devastating effects on a person's mobility and quality of life. Adult spinal cords show limited long distance regeneration after injury; what if there was a way to unlock the body's natural ability to heal and regenerate damaged spinal cords? This project focuses on a specific protein called BAF53b, which plays a crucial role in controlling how our genes work. When the spinal cord is injured, the body's ability to repair itself is limited. BAF53b may be one of the factors that limits repair; by acting like a molecular lock, it modifies the way genes are turned on and off to prevent growth in adult spinal cords which is important in maintaining stable activity. In our study, we will explore how BAF53b works and how we can modify its action to enhance the recovery process after a spinal cord injury. By understanding the role of BAF53b in reshaping the genetic instructions within injured spinal cords, we hope to pave the way for new treatments that can help people regain their mobility and independence.