ColinKlausFranzMDPhD, FAAPMR

Summary

• Dr. Colin Franz is a physician-scientist with specialized training and board certifications in neuromuscular medicine, electrodiagnostic medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. He serves as the director of the electrodiagnostic laboratory at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and as a staff physician at the Lois Insolia ALS Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Franz's professional interests are deeply rooted in the management of complex peripheral nerve injuries, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), diaphragm muscle dysfunction, and the innovative use of neuromuscular ultrasound alongside activity-based treatments aimed at neural recovery.
  
  His research team adopts a forward-thinking, technology-driven approach to tailor rehabilitation medicine, drawing inspiration from the real-life challenges faced by his patients. Dr. Franz's work encompasses a wide range of groundbreaking studies, from developing temporary, biodegradable implanted devices designed to directly deliver therapeutics to regenerating nerves, to creating human neurons from patient-derived pluripotent stem cells. These efforts aim to understand how individual genetic variances influence outcomes in neurotrauma and the potential for neural regeneration.
  
  Dr. Franz's research endeavors are well supported by external institutions, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Neuromuscular Foundation, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Belle Carnell Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Fund. This backing underscores the significant impact and innovative potential of his work in advancing the field of rehabilitation medicine.

Researchers invent self-powered drug delivery system
A team of scientists-led by Yamin Zhang, Ph.D., and Colin Franz, MD, Ph.D., at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and John Rogers, Ph.D., at Northwestern University-has de

Activity-Based Treatments to Accelerate Peripheral Axon Regeneration
ANF Development Grant Grant Type Colin Franz, MD, PhD Recipient Shirley Ryan AbilityLab/Northwestern University, Chicago, IL Location Project Summary Conservati

Colin K. Franz, MD, PhD, Receives One of AANEM's 2023 Scientific Impact Awards
The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) proudly announces Dr. Colin Franz as one of the 2023 Scientific Impact Award.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern University Complex Nerve Injury Clinic
@AbilityLab @NorthwesternPMR @NeurosurgeryNM @NMSurgery Our team up for an interdisciplinary clinic dedicated to Complex Peripheral Nerve Injuries.

Peripheral Nerve Injuries Associated With Prone Positioning of Patients With COV
Hospitals in the United States have been incorporating prone positioning (PP) into the COVID-19 related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome treatment plan at a

Prone Position May Save Severe Covid-19 Patients on Ventilators But Can Damage N
While a prone position may ease breathing in severely ill COVID-19 patients on ventilators, scientists say this life-saving, face-down posture can also cause pe

Dr. Colin Franz wins Richard Materson ERF New Investigator Award
This award from the Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation supports his precision medicine project on "Neurotrauma in a Dish".