Nine researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska University Hospital received approval for their applications to the Professor Lars-Erik Gelin Memorial Foundation. In total, the fund is awarding SEK 800,000 in research support.
The 2014 research grant from the Gelin fund is being divided as follows:
Jenny Nyström, Professor of Renal Physiology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology
SEK 150,000 to a project on tolerance and immunity in kidney transplantation.
A project that entails the mapping of the mechanisms in the body that reject a transplanted kidney and the development of new methods that mean that the transplant is tolerated in the recipient. The risk of rejection and the occurrence of antibodies are a few of the major stumbling blocks for kidney patients who need to undergo a kidney transplant.
Michael Olausson, Professor of Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Institution of Clinical Sciences
SEK 150,000 to a project on reconditioning of kidneys from donors after cardiac death and long-term preservation of kidneys for kidney cancer patients.
A project that can lead to kidney patients being able to have shorter wait times for transplants since access is provided to a substantially larger pool of potential donors. By being able to store kidneys outside the body for a longer time, it may even be possible to treat kidney cancer with new methods.
Vijay Kumar Kuna, MSc and doctoral student, Department of Surgery, Institution of Clinical Sciences.
SEK 100,000 to a project regarding weaving arteries for patients who have dialysis while awaiting kidney transplantation.
Vijay Kumar Kuna is a young researcher who is a member of Professor Suchitra Holgersson’s research team. By using the recipient’s own stem cells, it is hoped to be able to develop blood vessels in hemodialysis patients. Access to the blood stream is an obstacle for many kidney patients who need dialysis and the project can therefore be of major significance. The research team has already made major breakthroughs and the Gelin fund contributed SEK 200,000 to the project in 2013.
Jan Holgersson, Professor of Transplantation Immunology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Institution of Biomedicine.
SEK 100,000 for a project on new diagnostics for better quantification and specificity determination of AB0 antibodies in connection with AB0 incompatible transplantation.
The project aims to develop the possibilities of transplants over the AB0 blood group carrier with the aim of increasing the number of possible donors for every patient.
Mihai Oltean, M.D., Transplant Surgeon, Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
SEK 70,000 to a project on ischemic conditioning – a new strategy that uses the body’s repair mechanisms to reduce ischemia-reperfusion damage in kidney transplantation.
The research may lead to a better use of the organs that are donated and improve both short- and long-term results in connection with kidney transplants.
Mihai Oltean, M.D., Transplant Surgeon, Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
SEK 70,000 to a project on ischemic conditioning – a new strategy that uses the body’s repair mechanisms to reduce ischemia-reperfusion damage in kidney transplantation.
The research may lead to a better use of the organs that are donated and improve both short- and long-term results in connection with kidney transplants.
Åsa Norén, Licensed Physician, Transplant Surgeon, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg,
SEK 60,000 to a project on characterization of kidney changes in liver transplants
Jenny Skytte Larsson, Licensed Physician, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg.
SEK 50,000 to the project “Renal perfusion, filtration and oxygenation after liver transplant, the significance of post-operative blood pressure and comparisons between the two vasopressors noradrenaline and vasopressin.”
The project aims to reduce complications in the post-operative progression in connection with liver transplants.
Susanne Westphal Ladfors, Senior Physician, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Gothenburg
SEK 50,000 to the project ”Kidney transplants on children – cardiovascular health.”
The research aims to identify risk factors that lead to cardiovascular complications in kidney transplanted adolescents.
Facts about the Professor Lars-Erik Gelin Memorial Foundation
Lars-Erik Gelin (1920 – 1980) was the holder of the first professorship in transplant surgery in Sweden and a nationally and internationally pioneering researcher in the transplantation field. In 1965, he performed the first kidney transplant at Sahlgrenska Hospital and in the 1970s developed the unit into one of the leading units in the world for kidney transplants. In 1981, the Professor Lars-Erik Gelin Memorial Foundation was founded on the initiative of the Association of Kidney Patients of West Sweden. The foundation awards around SEK 900,000 annually to research and development in the field of transplantation. See more at www.gelinfonden.org.