Functional restoration after SCI has been interpreted as the need to promote long-distance regeneration. More immediate strategies may exploit spared circuitries, inspiring new thinking for therapeutic designs.

Grégoire Courtine was trained in Mathematics and Physics, but received his PhD degree in Experimental Medicine. After a Post-doctoral training at the University of California (UCLA), he established his own laboratory at the university of Zurich. He recently accepted the International paraplegic foundation (IRP) chair in spinal cord repair at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). His laboratory focuses on the development of interventions to improve recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). He published several articles proposing radically new approaches for restoring function after SCI, which were discussed in international press extensively. He received numerous honors such as the UCLA Chancellor's award, and the Schellenberg Prize for his advances in SCI research.

About TEDx:
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)