This proposal outlines fundamental work focused on using nanotechnological systems to treat injuries to the central nervous system (CNS). One major component of the work is evaluating if functionalized water-soluble nanotubes can be designed such that they are able to traverse the blood brain barrier (BBB) and blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) and serve as vectors for the transport of therapeutic small molecules and proteins. Successful synthesis of such nanovectors will lay the foundation for future in vivo studies targeting CNS trauma. Additionally, we will explore whether pristine nanotubes can serve as scaffolds for axonal regeneration in spinal cord injuries. The Tour laboratory is a recognized world leader in the fabrication of nanomaterials and will direct the design and preparation of the nanomaterials needed for this collaboration. Professor Raymond Grill is a leader in in vivo models of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. He will oversee the BBB project and advise on the axonal regeneration project. Professor Grill will be an Alliance-unfunded collaborator. Professor Andrew Jea is a highly regarded pediatric spinal surgeon at Texas Children’s Hospital, as well as an assistant professor at the Baylor College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery. Professor Jea will oversee the axonal regeneration project.