The aim of this project is to link basic research to clinical applications that benefit patients with neurological injuries. Our group is well positioned to study human stem cells from adult patients' brains through the organization and lab resources we have built up over the last 10 years. How can we use this knowledge of our nervous system and, more importantly, transfer it to our patients? We have chosen to focus on spinal cord injury where the need for scientific success is high. In a recent article published in Cell Transplantation, we have shown that stem cells can be transplanted into the nervous system with some success where these immature cells form new neurons and synaptic connections. In addition to stem cell transplantation, we have revisited the idea of repairing an injured spinal cord by bridging the area of injury with peripheral nerve grafts. We have shown that nerve fibers can be made to grow past (regenerate) the damaged area through these grafts. Using neurophysiology (motor evoked potentials), we have shown that after 3 months the regeneration establishes contact between the cortex and lower limb muscles. These studies have now led to a clinical trial where patients with spinal cord injury will be operated on using this technique starting in 2013.