LOCATION:

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Blood Donor Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9BQ

Start date

January 2017

Project title                         

Donor porcine kidney regeneration with mesenchymal stem cells in normothermic ex-situ machine perfusion

supervisors          

Professor Rutger J. Ploeg

Mr James Hunter

The MePEP consortium

I obtained a Bachelor degree with Distinction in Biomedical Sciences from The Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, The Netherlands. For my undergraduate research project I investigated the biological mechanisms contributing to delayed graft function and to different lengths of recovery after deceased donor kidney transplantation under the supervision of Professor Rutger J Ploeg and Dr Letizia Lo Faro. In addition to my research project in Oxford, I held a position as Transplant Technician for COPE (Consortium for Organ Preservation in Europe).

Research summary

Kidney transplantation is the gold-standard treatment for patients with end stage renal disease. Renal transplantation is limited due to organ shortage and therefore donor kidneys of inferior quality are currently used by most transplant centres.
Kidney normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has the potential ability to restore function, assess conditions and possibly repair kidneys prior to transplantation. In certain cases, it might be necessary to further treat these damaged kidneys prior to transplantation.

My project focuses on regenerative medicine in kidney transplantation. This concerns ex-vivo perfusion of donor kidneys on a dedicated machine which allows assessment and repair through administration of stem cells prior to transplantation. The project investigates not only the perfusion but also the interaction of MSCs and their products with renal endothelial and tubular cells prior and after an ischemic insult. Repair of previously discarded/injured organs will not only allow us to use them for transplantation and benefit patients in many kidney transplant centres, but also enhance our insight on  how acute organ injury in general can be monitored and repaired.

In addition to my DPhil, I am the Oxford Transplant Technician Coordinator for COPE.