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Researchers and doctors talking

Taking research to healthcare

Driving research from the laboratory to people

Special Emphasis Networks

Our Special Emphasis Network is a major initiative with the aim to bring together a community of academic and clinical expertise and resources to tackle currently unmet priority needs for people with spinal cord injury.

We think the most effective way to progress the research into spinal cord injury is for researchers to work together and share findings.

The strategic aims of this programme are

  • support collaborative, multi-disciplinary patient focused research 
  • bring together expertise in the UK - building capacity to deliver results
  • build commercial and strategic alliances and partnerships 
  • establish clinical trials capacity in the UK

Restoring function

Spinal Research is committed to developing treatments to restore arm, hand and pelvic function. Our research has shown these goals are now achievable and the next step is to take these promising treatments to patients via clinical trials. Accomplishing this will have a dramatic impact on the dignity, independence, personal freedom and full participation in society of people with a spinal cord injury.

Dr Mark Bacon of Spinal Research

If we are to see an acceleration in the development of effective treatments for spinal cord injury, researchers, medics and government departments need to be clear about the mission. It is about patient benefits, patient outcomes. Putting those outcomes at the heart of our research aims is the only way to remain focused and set project deliverables. Managing this process is a big part of our Special Emphasis Networks initiative.

Dr Mark Bacon, Spinal Research

Change is possible

We are determined to increase research that will lead to effective treatments for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.