Improving Donor Livers for Transplant Surgery
HuR/HIF – SIRT1 Signaling Axis in Liver Transplant Rejuvenation
This project looks at ways to make donor livers stronger and more resistant to damage, helping more people have successful liver transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086766 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Liver transplants are life-saving, but sometimes donor livers are not as strong as they could be, leading to complications after surgery. This project aims to "rejuvenate" donor livers, making them more resilient to the stress of transplantation. Researchers are exploring specific biological signals within liver cells and immune cells that can protect the organ from damage. The goal is to understand how to convert a vulnerable donor liver into one that is more robust and less likely to be rejected. This could lead to better outcomes for patients receiving a new liver.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly recruit patients, but future clinical applications would benefit patients needing liver transplants, especially those who might receive a "marginal" donor organ.
Not a fit: Patients not in need of a liver transplant would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more available donor livers and better, longer-lasting outcomes for patients receiving liver transplants.
How similar studies have performed: The concept of organ "rejuvenation" is being introduced as a novel approach, building upon existing knowledge of ischemia-reperfusion injury and molecular pathways.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kupiec-Weglinski, Jerzy W — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Kupiec-Weglinski, Jerzy W
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.