Using AI to predict kidney transplant outcomes from biopsy images
Computational Image Analysis of Renal Transplant Biopsies to Predict Graft Outcome
This project uses computer algorithms to read kidney transplant biopsy images and help predict which transplant recipients are at higher risk of graft problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159700 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a kidney transplant, doctors sometimes take small biopsies that are turned into high-resolution digital images; this project uses those images together with clinical information to train AI models. The team will apply computational image analysis to whole-slide biopsy images to quantify subtle chronic changes that are hard to see by eye and link those features to later graft function. They will combine image-derived features with donor and recipient data in a multimodal framework to predict delayed graft dysfunction and long-term outcomes. The work uses existing biopsy samples and patient outcome data from participating transplant centers to develop and test the models.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have received—or are about to receive—a kidney transplant at centers that collect biopsy images and follow-up clinical data.
Not a fit: People without available transplant biopsy images, those not under transplant follow-up, or recipients of non-kidney organs are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify high-risk transplant recipients earlier so care can be personalized to improve long-term graft survival.
How similar studies have performed: Related AI-based digital pathology work in kidney and other organs has shown promising early results but still needs broader clinical validation.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sarder, Pinaki — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Sarder, Pinaki
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.