Abstract: A method is described for isolating ensheathing cells, in particular those from olfactory lamina propria and use of the isolated ensheathing cells and lamina propria respectively in transplantation. Isolated lamina propria and ensheathing cells from the olfactory mucosa are well suited for autologous transplantation, where the donor and recipient are the same, as surgical biopsy of the olfactory mucosa is less damaging than isolating tissue from other location of a person's body, for example the olfactory bulb. Transplantation is particularly directed to neural regions (for example the brain, spinal cord and/or peripheral nerves) of a human to assist recovery of acute and chronic nerve damage following surgery or trauma.