Research areas

To extend the functions of the graft and the patient survival, and to improve the quality of life of the patient, the FHU has established a strategy for translational research which focused on the following themes:

Identification of pre‐transplant mechanisms and biomarkers of graft loss‐of‐function - Conditioning and innovative therapy at the donor, organ and recipient levels

Identify biomarkers/factors of risk of pre-transplant and tools/strategies to overcome them or diminish their influence:
  • Influence of donor characteristics on graft quality (immunological reaction in the receiver,  resumption of graft function)
  • Donor, receiver and graft conditioning
  • Mechanistic analysis of the influence of organ preservation on graft outcome
  • Innovative therapies in the recipient
  • Mechanisms of ischemia reperfusion during collection, preservation and transplantation of the graft (kidney, liver and heart)

Post‐Transplantation: mechanisms and biomarkers of graft loss‐of‐function

Identify markers of graft injury and loss of function and post-transplant mechanisms by studying:
  • Humoral response against the donor: prediction and prevention
  • Infections under immunosuppression and impact on graft function
  • Other non-immunological factors and biomarkers of graft lesions 

Post-transplantation: prevention and strategies of personalized medicine strategies

Transfer tools and strategies of post-transplant to improve and individualize the care of the patient, with all available means, and measure the impact of such procedures in terms of quality of life of the patient and profitability:
  • Constitution and follow up of patient cohorts and clinical trials, and evolution of biological collections for transplantation
  • Disease modelling in transplantation for a better prediction by integrating all factors of risk already known and newly discovered in transplantation
  • Treatment  personalization in organ transplant recipients
  • Patient adherence, therapeutic education, and quality of life of the patient
  • Economic impact of treatment personalization in organ transplantation

Innovations in organ transplantation

Promote the medical application of the scientific and clinical results and the transfer of technology:
  • Towards in silico  pharmacology: bridging the gap between atoms and patients
  • Monoclonal antibodies directed against new targets or used as vectors of drugs prescribed in organ transplantation
  • New antivirals: search of new targets, and pre-clinical and clinical evaluation