Spinal Cord Injury Researcher Dies

Neuroscientist Geoffrey Raisman pioneered the study of spinal cord injury and the use of cell transplants to repair the damage.

Written byJef Akst

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WIKIMEDIA, MRC NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCHGeoffrey Raisman, a leader in the study of central nervous system repair, passed away last month (January 27) at age 77, The Guardian reported.

Raisman’s contributions to neuroscience date back more than 40 years. His research into how damaged nerve tissue regenerates and makes new synapses set the stage for the advancement of cell therapy for the treatment of spinal cord injury. And in 2014, Raisman’s techniques were used help a paralyzed Bulgarian man named Darek Fidyka regain the ability to walk.

“It is immensely gratifying to see that years of research have now led to the development of a safe technique for transplanting cells into the spinal cord,” Raisman said at the time, according to The Jewish Chronicle. “I believe we have now opened the door to a treatment of spinal cord injury that will get patients out of wheelchairs.”

After completing his PhD, Raisman worked at Oxford ...

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Meet the Author

Jef Akst
Jef (an unusual nickname for Jennifer) got her master’s degree from Indiana University in April 2009 studying the mating behavior of seahorses. After four years of diving off the Gulf Coast of Tampa and performing behavioral experiments at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, she left research to pursue a career in science writing. As The Scientist's managing editor, Jef edited features and oversaw the production of the TS Digest and quarterly print magazine. In 2022, her feature on uterus transplantation earned first place in the trade category of the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
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