Better donor organ checks to improve kidney transplant outcomes
Assessment of Donor Quality for Improving Kidney Transplant Outcomes
This project looks for cell and gene markers in donor kidneys and in transplant recipients' blood that predict which deceased-donor transplants will work best.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332443 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are getting a deceased-donor kidney, researchers will study small samples taken from the donor kidney and blood from transplant recipients to look at gene activity and individual cell types. They use single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify donor and recipient cells linked to later chronic injury and lower kidney function. The team links these molecular and cellular profiles to outcomes such as estimated GFR up to 24 months after transplant. Results aim to reveal early donor–recipient interactions that signal higher risk of long-term graft damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people receiving a deceased‑donor kidney transplant at centers that collect donor biopsies and blood samples and who can return for follow-up visits.
Not a fit: People receiving living-donor transplants, those whose transplant centers do not collect donor biopsies or paired blood samples, or those unable to attend follow-up visits are less likely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors choose healthier donor kidneys and tailor treatments to prevent chronic graft injury, improving long-term transplant survival.
How similar studies have performed: The team previously found a donor kidney gene‑expression signature linked to 24‑month graft function, and single‑cell methods are promising but still emerging for predicting long-term transplant outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mas, Valeria Raquel — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Mas, Valeria Raquel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.