The SC CTSI helped researchers accelerate the development of a stem cell-based therapy that regenerates gut tissue lost to necrotizing enterocolitis, a complication that can affect prematurely born infants. Pediatric surgeon Tracy Grikscheit, MD, assistant professor of surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, and attending surgeon at CHLA, is currently working on scalability for therapeutic application in pediatric patients. The technique is applicable to other organs, including colon, liver, and pancreas. The SC CTSI helped the team identify regulatory consultants and manufacturing partners to move the project forward. The SC CTSI also allocated more than $100,000 in pilot funds to the project through the USC Coulter Translational Research Partnership program. Grikscheit and her team are currently in discussions with potential investors for support of clinical feasibility studies for this exciting technology.

NIH Funding Acknowledgment: Important - All publications resulting from the utilization of SC CTSI resources are required to credit the SC CTSI grant by including the NIH funding acknowledgment and must comply with the NIH Public Access Policy.