Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support Professor Raisman’s research into spinal cord injury following the success of his first clinical trial in Poland.

Professor Raisman, currently at the University College London Institute of Neurology, has been developing this technique for around 40 years, 30 of which were spent at the Medical Research Council’s National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). All of the basic research and animal proof of concept for this work was undertaken during Professor Raisman’s time at the NIMR and a summary of this work can be found at:

www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/news/clinical-success-for-research-programme-which-started-at-nimr/

Since Professor Raisman left the NIMR the Medical Research Council (MRC) has been involved in guiding the clinical translation of this work, however the MRC is not currently supporting his research.

The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health. These are judged in open competition with other demands on funding and awards are made according to their scientific quality and importance to human health. When appropriate, high quality research in particular areas of strategic importance may be given priority in competition for funds, but research excellence and importance to health continue to be the primary considerations in funding decisions.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funds eleven biomedical research centres that conduct translational research to transform scientific breakthroughs into benefits for patients. These centres are formed through partnerships between England’s leading National Health Service organisations and universities. The NIHR is investing £110 million over five years (2012-17) in the NIHR biomedical research centre at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University College London. The centre is supporting research on the use of cells from the lining of the nose to repair damaged nerves in the spinal cord.