Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (5): 2001-2002.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00111

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Human spinal cord organoids: A powerful tool to redefine gray matter and lower motor neuron pathophysiology in spinal cord injury

Maria Jose Quezada* , Colin K. Franz*   

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA (Quezada MJ) Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA (Quezada MJ) Biologics Laboratory, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA (Quezada MJ, Franz CK) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA (Franz CK) Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA (Franz CK) Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Technological Institute, Evanston, IL, USA (Franz CK)
  • Online:2026-05-15 Published:2025-08-22
  • Contact: Colin K. Franz, MD, PhD, cfranz@sralab.org; Maria Jose Quezada, DPT, mariajosequezada2024@u.northwestern.edu.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the Belle Carnell Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Fund and by the National Institutes of Health (R01NS113935 to CKF).

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Abstract: Human spinal cord organoids (hSCOs) offer a promising platform to study neurotrauma by addressing many limitations of traditional research models. These organoids provide access to human-specific physiological and genetic mechanisms and can be derived from an individual’s somatic cells (e.g., blood or skin). This enables patient-specific paradigms for precision neurotrauma research, particularly relevant to the over 300,000 people in the United States living with chronic effects of spinal cord injury (SCI).