NIAID's Role in Transplantation Research
Transplantation science has improved markedly, but many challenges remain. NIAID’s basic and clinical research programs in transplantation are committed to meeting these challenges and are working to improve long-term graft survival, establish long-term tolerance without immunosuppressive drugs, and reduce lengthy transplant waiting lists.
Highlights
Action Plan for Transplantation Research (PDF)
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Overview
Since the first successful kidney transplant between identical twins in 1954, organ and tissue transplantation has offered the hope of life to tens of thousands suffering from a wide range of conditions. Today, doctors routinely transplant more than 25 different organs and tissues as a treatment for kidney failure, Type 1 diabetes, leukemia, end-stage pulmonary disease, liver disorders, and cardiovascular disease, among others.
The hope and promise of transplantation has been tempered with disappointment. Despite tremendous progress, two major barriers still remain to the overall success of transplantation: transplant rejection and a shortage of donor organs and tissues.
Although one-year survival after organ transplantation has improved markedly over the last 25 years the long-term survival of grafts and patients continue to improve relatively little. Nationwide, the demand for organ transplants far outstrips the supply. Unfortunately, many candidates die while awaiting a suitable organ.
Through its sponsorship of world-class research and the development of research infrastructure, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases works to extend survival for transplant recipients, to improve their quality of life, and to make the promise of organ and tissue transplantation a reality.
Read about the history of transplantation and Nobel Prize winners who have contributed to our knowledge of organ transplantation.
News and Media
Statement: The U.S. Transplant Games—July 11, 2008
Studies Test New Approaches to Islet Transplantation—May 2, 2008
NIAID Media Availability: Quick Technique to Identify Adenoviruses Can Improve Patient Care—Oct. 11, 2007
All Transplantation News Releases