Improving liver transplantation outcomes using advanced preservation techniques
Official title: Molecular Targets of Preservation Injury Mitigated by Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion in Liver Transplantation
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11123341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to keep liver donations healthy longer, especially from older donors or those with fatty livers, to help patients who need liver transplants recover better and have fewer problems after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 21, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,021 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180739-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals requiring liver transplantation, particularly those who may receive grafts from older or higher-risk donors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for liver transplantation or those receiving grafts from standard criteria donors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a new method called Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion (HMP-O2) can enhance the preservation of liver grafts from extended criteria donors, such as older individuals or those with fatty livers. By continuously flushing the liver with an oxygenated solution, this technique aims to reduce damage during preservation and improve outcomes after transplantation. The study will explore the molecular pathways affected by this method to better understand its benefits. Patients receiving liver transplants may experience fewer complications and better recovery due to this innovative approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved liver transplant outcomes and increased availability of donor organs for patients in need.
How similar studies have gone: Early clinical trials in the US and Europe have shown promising results for similar preservation techniques, indicating potential for success in this research.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lunsford, Keri Elizabeth — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Lunsford, Keri Elizabeth
Related research
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Targeting a specific CD38 form to protect livers from injury after transplant
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-
Regulatory dendritic cell therapy to reduce immunosuppressive drugs after liver transplant
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-
HOPE liver transplant: reducing infections and cancer risk for HIV-positive recipients
This grant aims to better understand why HIV-positive liver transplant recipients face higher infection and cancer risks and to improve safety and outcomes for these patients.
-
Early liver transplant decisions for severe alcohol-related liver disease
A large study follows adults with severe alcohol-related liver disease to understand how to best select and manage patients for early liver transplantation.
-
Early Liver Transplant for Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis
A hospital-based program is studying whether offering an early liver transplant to patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis can save lives when standard medical treatment fails.
-
Early liver transplant for severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) to save lives
A Johns Hopkins program is testing whether giving an early liver transplant to patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis who can’t be helped by standard treatments can save lives and reduce relapse risk.
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.