Allan D. Levi, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.
Clinical Director
Clinical Director, The Miami Project
Professor and Chairman, Department of Neurological Surgery
Professor, Departments of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine
Chief of Neurosurgery, Jackson Memorial Hospital
Robert M. Buck Distinguished Chair in Neurological Surgery

The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
1095 NW 14th Terrace
Suite 2-24
Miami, FL 33136
Research Interests
Areas Of Research
Publications
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Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
My research interests have focused on developing cellular transplantation strategies to repair injuries within both the human central and peripheral nervous system. Schwann cells are the principal support cells with the peripheral nervous system and have the capacity to promote regeneration of central nervous system neurons as well as remyelinate central axons which have lost their insulation. I have focused much of my previous research efforts in furthering our understanding of the biology of human Schwann cells which have been isolated using cell culture techniques. The results of these studies have demonstrated that human Schwann cells have the capacity to form myelin after transplantation within immune deficient rodent models and that their numbers can be significantly increased with addition of growth factors.
My current research interests involve serving as (1) PI on intravascular hypothermia after human cervical spinal cord injury (2) co-PI on the FDA approved trial of “The Safety of Autologous Human Schwann Cells in Subjects with (a) Sub-acute Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and (b) Chronic SCI” (3) PI on the clinical development and characterization of the use of autologous human Schwann cells for peripheral nerve injuries with a lengthy gap. The main interest in the laboratory involves using autologous SCs and exosomes to repair critical gap lengths in the peripheral nervous system.
Visit Dr. Levi’s Publication Listing
News Stories
Cooling the Nervous System (11/2018)
Schwann Cell Safety Trial Completed (3/3/2017)
Research Journal Feature (09/01/2016)
Focusing on You: Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine (12/24/2015)
Allan Levi, M.D. Performs World’s First Nerve Graft (October 2013)
Phase II Pathway Study Transplant by Miami Project Doctors Into First Participant (12/18/2014)
Novel Stem Cell Trial for Cervical Spinal Cord Injury (10/09/2014)
Phase II Pathway Study Clinical Trial for Cervical Spinal Cord Injury (10/09/2014)
Allan Levi, M.D. Performs World’s First Nerve Graft Surgery (10/09/2013)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Joint Section of Spine and Peripheral Nerve Disorders
Society for Neuroscience
Society of Neurological Surgeons (Senior Society)
American Academy of Neurosurgery