The Institute of Neural Regeneration and Tissue Engineering is a tax-exempt non-profit charitable organization that was founded with the goal of improving the lives of the millions who suffer from strokes, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases. Our focus is on scientific research work, translating the basic sciences of today into the biomedical technologies of the future. We also seek to understand the fundamental basis of all neural function, from molecular, cellular, and human perspectives. As an institute directly involved in ground-breaking research, our funding and donations go directly towards the research and development of new advancements and therapies.

The President of the Institute is Dr. Richard J. McMurtrey, who is an accomplished physician, scientist, and engineer. He holds degrees with highest honors in medicine, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering, and he was distinguished as one of the top innovators for his work at the University of Oxford. He has gained significant research experience in a wide variety of research laboratories, including pharmacology, neuroscience, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and physics. He trained in neurosurgery and critical care, and has earned several awards and honors for his research work. Highlights of his research accomplishments include:

• Discovery of novel 3-dimensional neural tissue constructs with biochemically-functionalized nanofiber architecture enabling enhanced capabilities to achieve extended neurite outgrowth and directional control.
• Discovery of new neuroprotective mechanisms in stroke and ischemia, including the role of certain glutamate, calcium, and adenosine signaling pathways and their interaction with volatile anesthetic agent mechanisms.
• Discovery of the effects of certain regions of alternative splice variants of the CaMKII enzyme, including effects on neuromodulation and dendritic arborization in neurons.
• Discovery of unique electrophysiological phase-locking responses in auditory neural networks when processing harmonious versus dissonant acoustics.
• Detailed description of oxygen and nutrient diffusion modelling in neural tissue constructs.

Dr. McMurtrey’s current research focuses on neural tissue engineering and the study of mechanisms of synaptogenesis, neural differentiation, and stem cell regenerative approaches to neural injury and disease. In addition, his work examines neuroprotective mechanisms and neuromodulation, which holds potential for novel therapeutic interventions in stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and neurodegenerative diseases [such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)]. He is making advancements in the development of novel neural interfaces, including new biomolecular coatings for neural implant devices that may improve the biocompatibility, function, and duration of these devices. This work will be essential in the advancement of therapeutic interventions that will usher in the most significant advancements in functional neural recovery over the next several years.  A vast amount remains to be discovered regarding the workings of the nervous system, and this work seeks to unravel and understand these mysteries, while also translating these discoveries into meaningful innovations and therapies.

Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Richard J. McMurtrey