Using advanced imaging to assess kidney viability for transplants
Automatic Wide-Field Optical Coherence Tomography for Assessment of Transplant Kidney Viability
This study is looking at a new way to check if kidneys are healthy enough for transplant using a special imaging technology, which could help patients get better matches and have more successful transplants, reducing their wait time for a donor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10897015 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the assessment of kidney viability for transplantation using a technology called optical coherence tomography (OCT). By providing high-resolution, real-time images of kidney tissues, OCT can help determine which kidneys are suitable for transplant, potentially reducing the time patients spend on donor waitlists and decreasing the number of failed transplants. The study aims to enhance current screening methods that rely on biopsies and donor medical history, which have shown limited effectiveness. Patients may benefit from more accurate matches and improved outcomes from kidney transplants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals on the kidney transplant waiting list or those with acute kidney failure requiring a transplant.
Not a fit: Patients who have already received a kidney transplant or those with chronic kidney disease not requiring transplantation may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the success rates of kidney transplants and reduce the waiting time for patients in need of a transplant.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary trials have shown success with similar imaging techniques, indicating the potential for this approach to improve kidney transplant outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Hadley, United States
- University of Massachusetts Amherst — Hadley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Xiaohui — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Xiaohui
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.