Human iPS cell therapy for Spinal Cord Injury with Acronym: “Human iPS in SCI”Our overall aim is to develop a clinically safe and effective neural cell therapy, combining novel biomaterials and human neural progenitor cells, to improve functional outcome after spinal cord injury (SCI). We have the unique possibility to compare neuro-rescue potentials of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and their neural progeny, with that of human neural precursor cells from the already formed spinal cord.The questions raised and studied in the present research program are unique with the introduction of human iPS cells and bioresorbable hydrogels. It offers future autologous transplantation procedures and thereby no immunological and reduced ethical considerations. If we manage, we can make patient-specific cell preparations to counteract the secondary degeneration after SCI. The project is of high relevance for clinical introduction of neural cell therapy after SCI, as well as other nervous system lesions.Our proposed project will significantly contribute and add novel and multidisciplinary competencies to my profile as research fellow, developing my skills as a valid and independent European researcher. The cultural exchange with Karolinska Institutet will allow me to gain knowledge and skills in human neural stem cell, iPS techniques, SCI in vitro and in vivo models as well as in the field of biomaterial engineering. In addition, my genuine geographical move to Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm to perform this project, offers me to join, and add knowledge to, the European research community in developing effective future cell therapies for neurodegenerative and traumatic nervous system lesions.