Allan D. Levi, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.

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.