UBC Researchers to Lead $24 Million Project to Treat Spinal Cord Injury Using BioMaterials. Vancouver, BC, January 21, 2022 A key challenge in treating traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) the kind caused by impact from a car crash, a fall, a sporting activity or a violent act is repairing the gap that is formed when the spine is broken. Now a new, multidisciplinary team aptly named Mend the Gap is working on a novel approach that may help people with SCI.