Junior Research Associate Elvira Akhmetzyanova studies microglia and macrophages with support from Russian Science Foundation

Her project is among the 27 winners of the 2022 grant competition from Kazan Federal University.

As Akhmetzyanova comments, spinal cord injuries and relevant rehabilitation have been the focus of her attention for over eight years. She researches the behavior of immune cells of the central nervous system in cases of various spinal cord injuries. This can help develop new approaches to the treatment of such injuries and of neurodegenerative diseases. Her research consultants are Lead Research Associate Yana Mukhamedshina and Professor, Director of the Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine Albert Rizvanov.

“Microglia and macrophages are key links in determining the outcome of a given injury,” says Akhmetzyanova. “Obtaining precise data about the behavior of macrophages and resident microglia in spinal cord injury contributes to further developments in personalized therapy. Treatments may be based on modulating the phenotype of microglia and macrophages towards a more neuroprotective type.”

As of now, pure cultures of microglia and macrophages have been obtained and traumatic damage of various gravity has been modeled.

The allocated funding will be disbursed to laboratory consumables.