National Institute of Transplantation		 MyNIT
Services Research Education Laboratories Giving About
  Search Button
Research

Research

Home  >  Research
 
MNIT'S TRANSPLANT RESEARCH

Since its founding, research has been a top priority at the MNIT. The MNIT Research department conducts both basic and clinical studies that greatly help to improve transplant outcomes.

The basic research programs include:

  • DNA and biological research to detect the presence of viral and bacterial organisms in recipients and donors
  • DNA tests to determine the genetic makeup and similarity of recipients and donors, which allows for more accurate assessments of potential matches
  • researching the causes of graft rejection

MNIT is also committed to the pursuit of scientific breakthroughs on the causes of kidney failure.
S. Mark Taper Foundation

 The S Mark Taper Foundation provides the basis for much of the basic immunology and genetics work done at the MNIT.  Research supported by the S Mark Taper Foundation has helped to advance the prevention of post-transplant diabetes and gastrointestinal side effects.  Researchers are also working to establish a new molecular approach for assessing rejection responses.

READ MORE
Alport Syndrome

The Alport Syndrome Research Program at the MNIT is aimed at gaining insight on the diagnosis, treatment and cure of Alport Syndrome. The MNIT has proposed to develop an Alport Gene Chip to study the distribution of Alport gene mutations and to conduct more rapid and complete diagnostic testing. The treatment goal of the Alport Syndrome Research Program is to completely slow or halt progression of the disease.

READ MORE
Tony Hope Laboratories

The generous gift from the Dolores Hope Trust is largely enhancing the MNIT's research on end stage kidney disease.  This research aims to define the effects of complement enzymes on renal disease and graft rejection.  Researchers also study candidate genes and an ‘inflammation gene chip’ to understand how inflammation contributes to kidney failure.

READ MORE

Recent Research Highlights & Initiatives

MNIT's Creation of an Alport Gene Chip

A list of collagen IV gene mutations has been created, along with a list of inflammatory and fibrotic genes that may contribute to kidney damage and failure. The chip will be assembled commercially, and the MNIT will soon begin validating the gene sequences. Then the chip will be tested in the Alport patients.

FIND OUT MORE
Publications

The MNIT contributes to the medical community with published journal papers, conference posters and presentations.

FIND OUT MORE
Home  |  Contact Us  |  Site Map  |  Terms & Policies |   Login
Mendez National Institute of Transplantation at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Transplant Center, Corporate Offices | 2200 West 3rd St., Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90057