Research Overview

The World Health Organization states that every year between 250,000 and 500,000 people around the world suffer a spinal cord injury. In the UK, about 50,000 people live with spinal cord injury, with about 1,000 new cases each year. Spinal cord injury can cause permanent loss of nerve function below the level of injury. There is no cure. The estimated annual cost to the NHS is around £1 billion. Current treatments focus on limiting the extent of damage and helping patients manage the injury and subsequent dramatic lifestyle changes. The lack of therapies for spinal cord injury creates a substantial, unmet, clinical need for millions of patients. Our group aims to develop novel approaches to improve function recovery after spinal cord injury, and we are pursuing the following two research areas:

A Combinatorial Approach For Spinal Cord Repair
Based on our previous experience using novel biomaterials for peripheral nerve repair, my group is focusing on the development of a biomaterial-based combinatorial approach to promote axon regeneration and function recovery after spinal cord injury using relevant in vitro, ex vivo and animal models. In collaboration with colleagues here at Aberdeen and elsewhere, we are developing novel combinatorial strategies including the use of suitable novel biomaterials, novel growth-promoting biomolecules, and electric stimulation for spinal cord repair.

Central Neuropathic Pain After Spinal Cord Injury
My group has a strong interest in the role of neuroinflammation in the development and maintenance of central neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. We aim to develop novel strategies to target this neuroinflammation in order to prevent and/or treat this common complication that significantly impacts on the quality of life of millions spinal injured patients. We are world leaders in using ethologically relevant and pain-related complex rodent behaviours and outcome measures to facilitate the development of novel analgesics for central neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury.

Collaborations

In Aberdeen:

• Dr Huang is part of the Aberdeen Spinal Injury Research Team and actively collaborates with other Team members to develop novel strategies for spinal cord repair.
• Collaboration with Profs Peter Mccaffery, Roger Pertwee, Iain Gibson, and Helen Galley on various projects.

Outside Aberdeen: Dr Huang actively collaborate with national and international leading experts.

Industrial collaboration:

• Oxford Biomaterials Ltd., Oxford, England
• Biogelx Ltd., Scotland

Research Funding and Grants

Current Research Income:

Research Grants (total £563K since 2017):

• Scottish Rugby Union/private donation, 2019-22
• Aberdeen University Development Trust, 2016-22
• BJA/RCoA PhD studentship, 2020-2023
• Medical Research Scotland(MRS)/Biogelx Ltd. PhD studentship, 2019-2023
• Two Elphinstone PhD Scholarships, 2020-2023
• International PhD studentship, 2016-20

Our research is kindly supported by:

Previous Grants:

• Institute of Medical Sciences PhD Studentship, 2014-19
• International Spinal Research Trust PhD Studentship, 2015-19
• Aberdeen University Development Trust PhD Studentship, 2014-18
• Aberdeen University Development Trust, 2016-19
• Tenovus Scotland, 2016-17
• RS McDonald Trust, 2014-17
• Scottish Rugby Union, Research Grant, 2013-16
• Development Trust, Equipment Grant, 2013-16
• Medical Research Scotland Vacation Scholarship, 06-08/2015
• Medical Research Scotland Vacation Scholarship, 06-08/2016
• Wellcome Trust Vacation Scholarship, 06-08/2016
• Aberdeen University Start-up, 2013-2016
• National Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, 2013-14
• Chelsea & Westminster NHS Trust; 2010-11
• Neurotex Ltd., 2008-9
• Wellcome Trust, International Travelling Research Fellowship, 2001-2