Measuring the viability of liver transplants using advanced spectroscopy techniques
Official title: A quantitative viability metric for liver transplantation using Resonance Raman Spectroscopy
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11051898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to quickly check if a liver is healthy enough for transplant, especially for those that might be a little damaged, so that more people in need of a liver can get one.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $447,809 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134590-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients on the waiting list for liver transplants, particularly those with end-stage liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for liver transplantation or those with conditions that preclude them from receiving a transplant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the viability assessment of liver transplants by utilizing Resonance Raman Spectroscopy. The goal is to develop a quantitative metric that can quickly and accurately determine whether a liver organ is suitable for transplantation, especially for those that are marginally damaged. By enhancing the evaluation process, the research aims to reduce the number of viable organs that are discarded and increase the availability of transplants for patients in need. The methodology involves real-time analysis of organ viability, which could significantly streamline the transplantation process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more available liver transplants, potentially saving lives and improving outcomes for patients with end-stage liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using advanced spectroscopy techniques for organ viability assessment, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tessier, Shannon Noella — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tessier, Shannon Noella
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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
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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.