Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Cell Therapies for Preterm Brain Injury

This thesis examines brain injury in babies born too early, focusing on bleeding in the brain and damage to developing brain tissue. It shows that these injuries remain common and outcomes have not improved, and it explores new treatments using cells from umbilical cord blood. The research includes evidence reviews, development and conduct of a first clinical trial, and creation of advanced animal models to test therapies. This work provides a pathway to develop safe, scalable treatments to protect and repair the preterm brain, with the goal of improving long-term development.