Improving kidney transplant monitoring with advanced ultrasound imaging
Official title: Characterization of microvasculature in kidney transplant by super-resolution ultrasound imaging
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11086779 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new ultrasound technology that helps doctors take a closer look at the tiny blood vessels in kidney transplants, making it easier to spot any problems early on and improve the health and survival of transplanted kidneys for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | May 9, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $538,923 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138998-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086779 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have received a kidney transplant and require ongoing monitoring of their kidney function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone kidney transplantation or those with other unrelated kidney conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new ultrasound imaging technology to noninvasively assess the microvasculature of kidney transplants. By using super-resolution ultrasound imaging (SRUI), the study aims to provide accurate and frequent monitoring of kidney allograft injuries, which is crucial for improving transplant outcomes. The project will involve technical advancements to enhance the imaging capabilities, allowing for better evaluation of kidney health in transplant recipients. Patients will benefit from a method that could lead to earlier detection of issues and improved long-term survival of their transplanted kidneys.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better monitoring and management of kidney transplant health, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar imaging techniques, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Chengwu — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Huang, Chengwu
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Super-resolution ultrasound to image tiny blood vessels in kidney transplants
A new ultrasound method will be used to see and measure tiny blood vessels in transplanted kidneys to help people with kidney transplants monitor graft health.
-
Microbial clues to diagnose and predict infections in kidney transplant patients
A patient-focused project will look for microbial biomarkers in stool, blood, and urine to help doctors predict and diagnose infections in people who have had a kidney transplant.
-
Immunological mechanisms behind treatment-resistant kidney transplant rejection
This grant explores why certain kidney transplant rejections don’t respond to standard treatments and what immune cells in the graft are driving that resistance.
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Complement-Bound Exosomes and Kidney Transplant Immunity
This project studies how kidney transplant injury and rejection happen after surgery and whether blocking certain immune pathways during organ preservation could improve transplant outcomes.
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Blood vessel signals predicting heart problems after kidney transplant
This project studies blood markers and tissue patterns after kidney transplants to identify which patients are at highest risk of cardiovascular problems.
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Understanding how BK virus links infection to kidney transplant rejection
This project looks at how BK polyomavirus reactivation affects kidney transplant patients and aims to use pre-transplant T cell information to tailor immunosuppression and monitoring.
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.